Chatanooga

The temps have dropped a little .... it is 27 degrees at 9am .... for a high of about 50 degrees at the peak.  I had ice on my windshield that had to be dealt with ... it was cold getting out to take pictures until those temps got a little higher (it wasn't 40 yet at noon).

Some of the sights I saw ....

Mayfield Dairy - since I was delayed a day and was traveling on Sunday, unfortunately this was closed.  Bummer, because I like to sample the local ice cream.

Learn about the process of making milk at the Mayfield Diary in Athens. Experience the strenuous task of milking giant artificial cows or go on an ice cream tour to taste and see how Mayfield Ice Cream is made.

The Incline Railway - 72.7% grade!  After the train ride, I drove the 1.9 miles up to the top of Lookout Mountain and it was a beautiful drive.

The Incline Railway up historic Lookout Mountain is the world's steepest passenger railway. In operation since 1895, the Incline is a National Historic site and Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Visit the machine room where the giant gears are put into motion.

Pictures of Chatanooga from the top of Lookout Mountain

Ruby Falls - The cave was not very pretty,but the falls were worth the walk ....

Plunging 145 feet, Ruby Falls makes for a spectacular sight deep in the heart of Lookout Mountain. High-speed elevators take visitors 20 stories below the mountain peak to the caverns below.

Moon Pie General Store -

The Moon Pie, created in the 1920s right here in Chattanooga, has transcended its Southern roots and is now enjoyed around the world. Although you can’t take a tour of the factory, you can visit the general store where you can glance at a factory-tour video while perusing an impressive range of Moon Pie products including T-shirts, cups, caps, pen knives, Christmas ornaments. . . oh, yeah, and Moon Pies in all their flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and banana, lemon, orange, peanut butter, and mint.

I had lunch here at an old fashioned soda fountain counter; I ordered the "Out of this World Dog" ... it was great!  Chili, cheese, onion and slaw.  I may have to eat them like that from now on ... and, of course, the dog came with chips, drink and a Moon Pie.

I passed my first Christmas Tree lot, full of trees.

Stopped at Hardees for a Diet Coke .... better known as Carl's Jr. to us Californians ... they actually serve a pork chop and gravy on a biscuit as one of their entrees.

Now, this house was worth seeing ...

The Flying Saucer House on Signal Mountain is a unique building, with an interesting exterior. The house was built in 1970 and features a several windows, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.