Our aims for this segment of the journey are to:-
1. Find and see the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel was on the itinerary originally as our Hotel but taken off due to complaints from previous travellers. Instead we were put into the Marriott Hotel round the corner. We were curious to know why! We had heard about the Chattanooga Choo Choo because of the song and knew that the site was the original Chattanooga Railway Station. The station had long ago been abandoned because the line had closed. There was supposed to be remnants of the Station and some of the trains have been turned into Dining experiences. Fortuitously, our understanding Tour Manager arranged for the coach driver to swing past the Hotel to show us what we were missing. The old station house remains a delight (at least from the outside) but the accommodation looked like something from Cell Block H. In fact, from what I remember of the programme, the prison in the Australian soap looked much better. Certainly my homegrown local prison of Winson Green, Birmingham looks better kept from the outside. We didn't dally and discovered the Marriott to be a much better prospect.
2. Travel on the Tennessee Valley Railroad and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
We were booked to go on these Railways after a well earned rest at the Marriott, starting out at a reasonable 9 am. Unfortunately the weather was showery and visibility at the top of the Incline was not the Lookout, or outlook, that we would have hoped. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable day trip
3. Find and see Moon Pie General Store.
I had seen Moon Pie General Store on the net and thought it an interesting place. I was not disappointed. We had a cup of coffee at the counter, on high swingy chairs, a chat to the manager and spoke to a very pleasant, all American type, waiter. He said he would like to travel to England one day. I asked for his email address so I could send him details of my home in Birmingham, England. If he ever gets the money together I can put him up for a couple of days of his holiday, save him a little bit of money. To be continued. Have to look for my case, lost in the Gaylord Hotel, Nashville???
4. Look for the Bessie Smith Curtural Centre in Chattanooga.
We did manage to find the Curtural Centre but not until it was closed. Everyone we asked had not heard of her, claiming the most famous resident born in Chattanooga had been Samuel L Jackson. Admittedly he is a famous actor but Bessis Smith was a famous Jazz singer of the 1920s; St Louis Blues fame.
