A Good Run

Beautiful view of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain just after sunset.

It's been almost two years since I started this blog. It was a wonderful excuse to help me get out and become familiar in my new surroundings. In the meantime I've returned to teaching full-time and just can't seem to keep up with my photography. So, at least for now, I'm putting this blog to rest. Thanks for all your visits and nice comments.

Time For a Break

Sitting at Rembrandt's Coffee Shop in the Bluff View Art District is a nice way to slow down and take a breather.

The Ocean Journey

The newer part of the Tennessee Aquarium is the Ocean Journey. It has the same design as the original aquarium building, which showcases freshwater life.

Skyline

Probably the most recognizable structure on Chattanooga's skyline is the Tennessee Aquarium. Although I'm a fan of old architecture, I love the triangular rainforest on top of this building and the haphazard bridges and waterways surrounding it all.

More Construction

This is an update on the building I first shared here. You can see that this is going to be a quite modern building.

Wet Reflection

The medallions along The Passage represent various Native American themes.

Going For a Swim

This game of stick ball has partially been moved underwater, due to the flooding. Compare it to this earlier post.

A Fast Current

Although it is hard to catch in a picture, the current is visible in these surface circles of the river.

Flood at Ross's Landing

This summer has been more hectic than I thought and I've had a hard time getting out to take Chattanooga photos. Recently we've had tons of rain (over 6 inches this weekend). I'm pre-posting some of the flood pictures this week while I'm out of town. I won't be able to post any comments for a few days since I'll have limited internet access.

Compare the top shot of Ross's Landing to this one taken last November to see how high the water has risen. The eddies in the top shot are the pillars that are normally lining the riverfront.

Travel Tuesday

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Cliff Palace was built by ancient Indians in this alcove. There are several sites in the park where you can view or tour these remains. The sites were inhabited until about 1300 and then abandoned. The people who lived here farmed the mesas above.

1984

There are several plaques on the plaza surrounding the Tennessee Aquarium that show certain years. I am not sure of their significance, but if you do leave me a comment.

W is for Water

The sun shines through the fountain at Ross's Landing.

Linking with

Travel Tuesday

It's been hard to keep up since I'm traveling right now. This was one of our stops. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

Blue Plate Special

The fence lining the steps down to Rembrandt's Roasting Company is decorated with multi-colored plates.

A Nice Place to Sit

...in Bluff View Art District.

Icarus

I think this sculpture depicts the story of Icarus, whose father made him some wax wings to escape Crete but then he flew too close to the sun and drowned.

Rain?

There are several sculptures tucked away in the Bluff View art district. This one seems to be holding up the rain clouds.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Festive

These colorful glass balls are on display in the Bluff View art district.

V is for Volkswagen

Volkswagen broke ground for a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga in 2008 and started production of the Passat in 2011 (with the 2012 model). Volkswagen's initial investment in Chattanooga was one billion dollars and that continues to grow with the success of the Passat.

Linking with

A Walk in the Woods

Gigantic horse chestnut leaves. Each leaf is as big as your head! Pretty impressive.

Linking with

Skywatch Friday.

U is for Under

On one of the last days of school, students enjoyed a field trip to the park to eat lunch and enjoy games of soccer, wiffle ball, and playing with this colorful parachute.

Linking with

Travel Tuesday

What'll ya have?

We went to Atlanta to pick up a few things and stopped for a hot dog at The Varsity.

Wild Mushrooms

I recently found these mushrooms in the woods. I have no idea what they are called, but love the colors.

Linking with

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Place of Worship

Stained glass window in First Baptist Church on East 8th Street. Built in 1885.

June Theme Day: The Beauty of Decay

Nature versus man-made. I'd say that nature is winning here. Notice it looks like someone tried to patch the bricks to the left of the tree trunk in a perpendicular pattern before apparently giving up and just smearing on a bunch of mortar. This is a vacant building which I don't think can be saved at this point.

Today is the first of June (hard to believe!) and that means Theme Day in the City Daily Photo Community. To check out things decaying beautifully around world, click here.

In the Setting Sun

The Choo Choo sign glows high above the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. After a very wet spring, we've had some nice sunny days in the last week. It is finally beginning to feel like summer.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Colorful Bracelets

These bracelets caught my eye up at Rock City. You can see the price tag on the orange one reads $12.95. I didn't buy one.

T is for The Terminal

The Terminal is my very favorite place to eat in Chattanooga. Everything on the menu is wonderful (make sure you get some sweet potato fries!). And they brew their own beer here as well. If you are just passing through town on the interstate, it is well worth the time to get off for a meal. You'll find it on Market Street, next door to the Choo Choo.

Linking up with ABC Wednesday.

Travel Tuesday

With school out for the summer, I have plans to get out and do some traveling. So on Tuesdays I may stray away from Chattanooga. This shot is from one of my favorite hiking trails, Fiery Gizzard in Tracy City, TN. The weather was great over the long, holiday weekend for getting outdoors.

Memorial Day 2013

Thank you.

Watery Dome

I caught this reflection of the Dome Building in a small parking lot puddle.
Linking up with Weekend Reflections.

Six Inches of Concrete

I did not venture out onto this thin platform to enjoy the view. Lover's Leap is in the background, which is the spot from which you can supposedly see seven states. The day I visited was quite hazy and so I imagine all I saw was Tennessee, Georgia, and possibly North Carolina.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

S is for Squeeze

This part of the trail through Rock City is actually called "Fat Man Squeeze". I'm happy to report that no one on our recent field trip was stuck going through.

After a long absence from ABC Wednesday, I'm trying to get back on track for the end of the alphabet. Check out more interpretations of S here.

A Tourist's View

The trail through Rock City is a mix of natural and man-made stone works. There are blooming rhododendrons scattered throughout.

Entrance

...to the Enchanted Trail at Rock City. I'm going to take you on a brief tour down the trail over the next few days.

Life on a Rock

The humid conditions are just perfect for growing moss and ferns on these rocks.

Linking with Macro Monday.

See Rock City

I googled it and found that over 900 barns in 19 states have been painted at one time or another with this advertising slogan. For those who want their own version, you can buy a birdhouse like this one.

Blue Skies Over Rock City

I visited Rock City for the first time this week. It was a beautiful day and a great trip with a group of elementary age children. I'll be sharing photos of our trip over the next several days. Hope you'll stick around to "See Rock City."

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Lamp Post

I love the rusted Fleur-de-lis on the light posts downtown.

Water and Light

This fountain is catching the sunlight in Miller Plaza.

Waterfall

All the water features that were turned off for the winter are springing back to life. This one is at Miller Plaza, which features a free concert every Friday night during the summer months.

Happy Mother's Day

This fountain is celebrating with a big, arching M. Enjoy a relaxing day moms!

Place of Worship

Second Presbyterian Church on Pine Street

Before the Storm

The dogwood flowers seemed to glow in the darkening light of an approaching storm. I took this last weekend, and after the rain there weren't many flowers left.

Linking with Skywatch Friday. Check it out to see cool skies from around the world.

On the Way to Regionals

 

This is the first time I've re-blogged someone else's photo. This is from my daughter's blog, which you can check out here. This weekend is the US Rowing Southeast Junior District Championships in Oak Ridge, TN. Top crews will qualify for the Nationals in June. Good luck to everyone, especially Chattanooga Junior Rowing!