Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Tennesseein' Is Tennebelievin'
Tennessee has it all - green lowlands, majestic mountains and a couple of cities with the ghosts of musical geniuses floating between thousands of cowboys who have either reached stardom or who are aching to do so. The entire state is filled with musical heritage from country music in the west to the aching blues of the Mississippi Delta to the rhythms of Rock and Roll started by Elvis.
We started our adventure in Chattanooga which, unfortunately, was the beginning of the Trail Of Tears and saw the removal of the Cherokee Indians in the early 1800s. During the Civil War it played an important part and saw several battles at Lookout Mountain and Chickamuaga. After the war the city became a major transport hub and was part of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad service, famously known as the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.
We started our adventure in Chattanooga which, unfortunately, was the beginning of the Trail Of Tears and saw the removal of the Cherokee Indians in the early 1800s. During the Civil War it played an important part and saw several battles at Lookout Mountain and Chickamuaga. After the war the city became a major transport hub and was part of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad service, famously known as the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.
Day 35
Chattanooga - A Mighty Good Spot
We woke up this morning after a night's rest in Jester's Lodge, feeling a bit groggy. We drove into Chattanooga and found a great little spot called Greyfriar's. I ordered the scrambled eggs with cheese & ham and a really strong, rocket-type-fuel cup of Costa Rican coffee. It was a great big swift kick up the arse and just what I needed!
The atmosphere in the place was mighty good. The food was great, the coffee and tea were great and it was such a relaxing vibe. Everyone seemed to know everyone else in the joint so there were lots of chatsies going on. There were some people on laptops (like us) and a couple of lads playing chess. People read the paper, students did their homework and everyone (including me) seemed to be drinking copious amounts of coffeeeee.
I took a little stroll around town after eating and took a few snaps.
With a ned full of coffee, it was now time to go be a couple of tourists.
First we went to the John Ross Bridge and walked across the Tennessee River. There was a park on the other side and people had already begun setting up there places for the 4th Of July celebrations.
Next we stopped at an old train station that has been converted into a Holiday Inn. The place is actually quite nice and there are actual trains in the back of the hotel that have cars you can sleep in if you wish. The train is a replica of the original Chattanooga Choo-Choo, which was the train operated by the Cincinnati Southern Railroad and served as major link between the north and the south in the late 1800s.
We mingled around for a bit and had a good look around.
We decided to go to Lookout Mountain and ride the Incline Railway. It's known as the 'world's steepest passenger railway', 'America's most amazing mile' and 'the most overlooked place on Earth.' Whatever you want to call it, it's pretty damn cool.
The railway was built in 1895 and travels nearly one mile straight up the mountain. The steepest section of track at the top has a gradient of 72.7%! The single track separates into two tracks at the halfway point allowing for a switch, where the car traveling down the mountain passes the car going up. The track operates with pulleys and cables and by using a single track, the two cars act like weights on opposite ends of a fulcrum, equally distributing the weight and tension across the length of the track.
After we ate, we retired to the bar for a few relaxers before getting a cab back to the hotel for a good night's kip.
We woke up this morning after a night's rest in Jester's Lodge, feeling a bit groggy. We drove into Chattanooga and found a great little spot called Greyfriar's. I ordered the scrambled eggs with cheese & ham and a really strong, rocket-type-fuel cup of Costa Rican coffee. It was a great big swift kick up the arse and just what I needed!
The atmosphere in the place was mighty good. The food was great, the coffee and tea were great and it was such a relaxing vibe. Everyone seemed to know everyone else in the joint so there were lots of chatsies going on. There were some people on laptops (like us) and a couple of lads playing chess. People read the paper, students did their homework and everyone (including me) seemed to be drinking copious amounts of coffeeeee.
I took a little stroll around town after eating and took a few snaps.
With a ned full of coffee, it was now time to go be a couple of tourists.
First we went to the John Ross Bridge and walked across the Tennessee River. There was a park on the other side and people had already begun setting up there places for the 4th Of July celebrations.
Next we stopped at an old train station that has been converted into a Holiday Inn. The place is actually quite nice and there are actual trains in the back of the hotel that have cars you can sleep in if you wish. The train is a replica of the original Chattanooga Choo-Choo, which was the train operated by the Cincinnati Southern Railroad and served as major link between the north and the south in the late 1800s.
We mingled around for a bit and had a good look around.
We decided to go to Lookout Mountain and ride the Incline Railway. It's known as the 'world's steepest passenger railway', 'America's most amazing mile' and 'the most overlooked place on Earth.' Whatever you want to call it, it's pretty damn cool.
The railway was built in 1895 and travels nearly one mile straight up the mountain. The steepest section of track at the top has a gradient of 72.7%! The single track separates into two tracks at the halfway point allowing for a switch, where the car traveling down the mountain passes the car going up. The track operates with pulleys and cables and by using a single track, the two cars act like weights on opposite ends of a fulcrum, equally distributing the weight and tension across the length of the track.
The views from the top of the mountain were amazing.
We thought of also going to either Ruby Falls or Rock City but there wasn't enough time left in the afternoon. We had a quick stop at the Incline shop called Mountain Memories and then set off on our way to Nashville.
We drove up 24N and arrived in Nashville around 6:00, giving us enough time to check in and leg it into town for a bite to eat. The Best Western we found was only about a mile from town but it was probably the ropiest mile in all of the city. We walked in this evening for the first (and last) time during our stay. Turning onto 2nd Avenue, we found Wildhorse Saloon and decided that was the place for us. I was blown away by it! The band were playing and everyone seemed to be dancing with everyone else in the place. The music was a bit dodgy but the atmosphere was great. We got a table and ordered some food and drinks, which were both fantastic. When the band finished, there was a line dancing lesson that cracked us up as well.
After we ate, we retired to the bar for a few relaxers before getting a cab back to the hotel for a good night's kip.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day 34
Today was a looong day. We left Palm Harbor and drove up 75N, through Georgia all the way to Chattanooga. We arrived eleven hours after leaving, totally exhausted.
We stayed in King's Lodge but to be honest it was more like Jester's Lodge. Only fit for a couple of fools. But when the room only costs 35 dollars, you really can't complain. Can you?
We watched the Yankees beat the Twins and Roger Clemens win his 350th game.
We stayed in King's Lodge but to be honest it was more like Jester's Lodge. Only fit for a couple of fools. But when the room only costs 35 dollars, you really can't complain. Can you?
We watched the Yankees beat the Twins and Roger Clemens win his 350th game.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Day 33
Another hot, humid day and another difficult run. This one was also 40 something minutes and I didn't feel a whole lot better.
Since both Paulo and I got a bit sunburned from yesterday, we decided to go to Panera for a bit of wifi time. Except that the signal was too weak for me to actually get anything done. Feeling frustrated, we went back to my parents and hung out.
My mum cooked up another feast - this time baked ham, potatoes and green beans. Nothing beats a bit of home cooking, I tell you.
Paulo and I went back to Howard Beach after dinner where I took a commanding lead in the wiffle ball series. I'm now three up in the series after a 9-1 victory. Like Paulo's game, the sky was quite overcast and the sunset wasn't the Mae West.
We decided to stop in Peggy O'Neills for a drink on the way home. There weren't many people there but the ones who were were rowdy as hell. We had a couple of beers and then went back to my parents to get stuck into the Yuengling that I had bought last night. We just chilled and had the chatsies for a couple of hours. And the Yuengling went down a dream.
Since both Paulo and I got a bit sunburned from yesterday, we decided to go to Panera for a bit of wifi time. Except that the signal was too weak for me to actually get anything done. Feeling frustrated, we went back to my parents and hung out.
My mum cooked up another feast - this time baked ham, potatoes and green beans. Nothing beats a bit of home cooking, I tell you.
Paulo and I went back to Howard Beach after dinner where I took a commanding lead in the wiffle ball series. I'm now three up in the series after a 9-1 victory. Like Paulo's game, the sky was quite overcast and the sunset wasn't the Mae West.
We decided to stop in Peggy O'Neills for a drink on the way home. There weren't many people there but the ones who were were rowdy as hell. We had a couple of beers and then went back to my parents to get stuck into the Yuengling that I had bought last night. We just chilled and had the chatsies for a couple of hours. And the Yuengling went down a dream.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Day 32
I woke up this morning feeling a bit hung over from the rush of yesterday. I struggled through a 40 something minute run though. My legs are good now but I am finding it hard to breathe with the heat and humidity.
I got back to my parents gaff, had a quick swim and a bite to eat and then went to the beach for a while. I drove to Honeymoon Island and stayed for about two hours. Except that two hours in the sun in Florida is like about twenty hours in the sun in Dublin. So, I got burnt, even though I was wearing sunscreen.
There was more chilling and relaxing by the poolside before a fabulous dins cooked up by me mum. She made spagh bol and it was qualiteee.
Paulo was looking to relax some more, so I drove to Howard Beach on my own to watch the sunset.
It was a quiet night, watching baseball and having the chatsies with my parents.
I got back to my parents gaff, had a quick swim and a bite to eat and then went to the beach for a while. I drove to Honeymoon Island and stayed for about two hours. Except that two hours in the sun in Florida is like about twenty hours in the sun in Dublin. So, I got burnt, even though I was wearing sunscreen.
There was more chilling and relaxing by the poolside before a fabulous dins cooked up by me mum. She made spagh bol and it was qualiteee.
Paulo was looking to relax some more, so I drove to Howard Beach on my own to watch the sunset.
It was a quiet night, watching baseball and having the chatsies with my parents.
