Tennessee Riverpark

My last day in Chattanooga I wandered the Riverpark (RiverWalk) which is one of the cities real gems. A 23+ mile long park along the banks of the Tennessee River - it's paved walking/biking trail is one of the best I've seen in my travels. But, it also has picnic areas, fishing opportunities, river related activities (kayak/SUP), artwork, historical information and open spaces for festivals. It even has a pedestrian only bridge that crosses the Tennessee River so you can reach Coolidge Park and its restored carousal on the NorthShore.

The Fiddler - notice the two guys in the background

The Great Race

After walking around the Chattanooga Market I headed over to check out the finish of today's leg of the Great Race in Chattanooga. Over 125 vehicles are participating in this nine-day, 2,300-mile rally, everthing from a 1909 American Simplex, to a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette.

Plus the Chattanooga Cruise-In. So lots of interesting cars to look at.

Around Town

Coolidge Park

Coolidge Park from the Market Street Bridge

What's Up?

Why its me, in a new (for me) flying machine - all my previous flying experience had been in helicopters and small/medium fixed wing airplanes so this was quite a change! A couple of days ago I climbed aboard this ultralight weight shift aircraft for a flight above Jasper, Tennessee. If you think it looks a lot like a hang glider, you're right - except this thing has a fuselage (sort of) and an engine. The other major difference between this this aircraft, and the traditional aircraft I'd flown in the past - no license required, hey, even you can do it!

Sorry, no pictures from the air - maybe next time.

Walking Chattanooga

My fitbit said 16,493 steps today! Here's some of what I saw.

Chattanooga

Just a short visit to my favorite midsize US city. Chattanooga was our first stop when we returned to the states from Panama, and I've been back twice since our initial stay. The downtown is very walkable, and they've done a great job with RiverWalk (a 13 mile park along the Tennessee River) and Coolidge and Renaissance Parks, also along the riverfront. The Market Street Bridge (pedestrians only) Tennessee Aquarium, Hunter Museum, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, two sports stadiums, the Choo Choo, and Chattanooga Marketplace (farmers market) are all downtown - and you can use the free electric busses to visit most everything. I like this place, although its a little hot, but it does have four ice cream shops downtown - so that helps.

First the river and the RiverBend Festival.

The Market.

my favorite vendor