From Beaches to Peaches!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Oct. 16, 2016---off to Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain to have lunch with the kids again.

Been a couple months since we've done lunch with Tim and Faith. We've been rather busy with Hawaii, St. Thomas, St. Louis, and whatever else! So it was time to do it again! But, this time, Ken elected to stay at Angie and Josh's with the dogs. His loss, our gain. We were able to spend more time with Tim and Faith. Even got to wander around through another National Park!

The day started rather early---for us. We had to be at Angie and Josh's by 7:50, so we were on the road by 7:30. Early enough to even see a pretty nice sunrise! Why so early? Since it was a Sunday, they wanted to go to church first. So they decided to go to 8:30 mass, then continue on to Chattanooga, since church was about 30 minutes closer to Chattanooga.

We had reservations for brunch at 11:30 in the town of Rock City. We made a wrong turn at one point and got a glimpse of this waterfall --- Ruby Falls?

Then we got back on track and even drove through Fairyland---a real one! Loved the houses up there! Each one was different and they were all beautiful! This one reminds me a bit of Tim and Faith's former house in St. Louis.

We made it to the restaurant---Cafe on the Corner---before Tim and Faith.

Not a large menu, but big enough.

While we waited for Tim and Faith we enjoyed a sangria. Our meals weren't spectacular, but the company and enjoying the warm Fall day made it great.

After brunch, we decided to head to a nearby park. Along the way we ohhhed and awwed at more of the houses.

We ended up at Point Park.

Parking wasn't the easiest. It was all road parking with meters. Tim and Faith had to park a couple blocks away.

Angie was wanting a "photo shoot" for possible x-mas cards, so I was happy to oblige.

Some of the flags outside the park.

Entrance to the park.

Another couple's shot

Entrance into the park was $5@, on an honor system. Someone leaving was nice enough to give us a ticket for 2 to enter.

One of the views of Chattanooga from the park.

Never did get to this monument to see what it was for.

One of the many cannons around the park.

one of the rock cliffs.

another couple's shot

Got all 4 of them in this photo.

Tim was naming off the cannons before we got to them. I guess his civil war hikes while he was a boy scout paid off!

Yep, another picture of Angie and Josh.

Tim and Faith photo bombing

Even managed to get a couple pictures of them.

Although Josh was cracking them up most of the time.

Another one of the 4 of them. Use to be they'd run from the camera. Now they accept the fact that I will take pictures of them whether they want me to or not!

And and a wide angle picture of Angie and Josh

loving the color in the leaves!

a view of part of the path

continuing down the trail.

Looking back to where we'd be returning along later.

I believe this may have been the peak weekend for the trees changing colors.

the little museum along the trail

Always looking for a different pose!

signs along the trail

I wasn't the only one taking pictures

my beautiful daughter!

back to the trail and Chattanooga below.

By now we only had about 20 minutes left on the parking meters so figured we better head back.

photo ops were welcomed breather stops for me!

My Great group of kids!

Yep, they're use to me taking pictures!!!

Figured I better take a picture of the sign so I knew where I had been.

more flags

driving through Fairyland again on our way out.

Josh made the comment that he'd hate to have to cut the grass here.

Yea! for the Armed Forces!!!

Then we drove by the actual entrance to the "theme park" Rock City. I loved the mountain silhouette fence. Always wondered about this place when we're driving back and forth from/to St. Louis. I've seen so many signs for it. Angie said the architecture firm she worked at in St. Louis (PGAV) is currently doing a multi-million dollar reno on the park. Hopefully we'll get back there once it's finished.