Chattanooga

Chattanooga's history began in 1815 when Cherokee descendant Chief John Ross established a ferry across the river. The settlement grew and was incorporated in 1839 and became an important commercial center. The city's strategic location and metal industries were the main reasons the Confederate Army tried desperately to retain control during the Civil War.

Today, Chattanooga has a population of about 175,000 and is an important manufacturing, wholesale, and retail center. Unlike many southern cities, Chattanooga has few surviving antebellum structures. The oldest structures are the buildings downtown that have been totally redesigned into modern, hip, unique boutiques and cafes. The rest of the city is modern and full of parks and trees.

We are traveling with our friends Mike and Gay, as we set out to discover the city.

We start out walking up the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge built in 1909. Declared unsafe to handle modern traffic, it was scheduled to be demolished in the 1990's. The Chattanooga's citizens rallied and caused it to become a pedestrian bridge.

And what a beautiful view it was. Looking down, we can see fellow loopers docked at the marina.

Perched on an 80-foot bluff on the edge of the Tennessee River, the Hunter Museum of American Art offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding
mountains.

The coolest thing about coming into Chattanooga this weekend was running into the biggest river event of the year.

'Head of the Hootch" is a rowing competition of students from high schools and colleges from all over the country.

Thousands come into town for a weekend of fun and competitive spirit. Streets are blocked, hotels packed, and marinas full, as teams spread out on the banks of the river with their very expensive equipment.

 Oars dazzling in the sun are laid out in order.

 

The 'shells' or boats reaching $50,000.00.

 

The rowers practiced feet away from our boat.

 

 

Getting into position.

 

 

The race is on!

 

 

The biggest attraction on the river waterfront is the Tennessee Aquarium.

 

 

This $45 million freshwater life center, the world's largest freshwater aquarium, is home to more than 9,000 animals, including 300 species of fish, reptiles,

amphibians, birds and mammals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Man and the Sea.