Chattanooga remix

Last time we were in Chattanooga we were 18 weeks pregnant. This time was very different, more work but also more exciting! We celebrated Thanksgiving here at home but spend our Holiday Weekend soaking in the city, sometimes it's good to be a tourist. 

Our days were filled with boat rides on the Tennessee River.

These two experienced their first train ride.

And lots of moments where I swear I'm looking at Dan's photos from 1985.

We love Chattanooga, if we ever have to move here you'll hear no complaint from me. Ever been to Portland, Oregon? This city has that feel, only in the South so not quite as bold as the real Portland but still trendy, hipster, and environmentally aware.

I'm pretty sure you could eat out at a different place every night of the year and still have places left undiscovered. Did you know that you can ride electric busses that run through town for free? What's free in 2015? They also have recycling bins throughout town, does that give you warm, fuzzy feelings? 

Most of the time I feel like we stick out, maybe not like a sore thumb but we most certainly don't fit into most of what's "normal" here but I'm pretty sure we'd find a place to belong in Chattanooga, maybe you would too.

I want to get away

We wanted a little get-away for our Labor Day Weekend as it seems do many other Americans. Maybe you went camping or hiking or on a road trip one final time before summer's end. We did too. This time to Chattanooga. After last year's misfortune in Mobile, AL- trust me this city does not need to make your top 10 or even top 100, we decided to head in the opposite direction, somewhere a little closer and a little 'cooler' (pun intended).

What do you think of when you hear the word Chattanooga? Maybe something like:

Or maybe you are history buff, like this guy below, and you think about THE battle for Chattanooga at Chickamauga. We learned all about the Civil War Battle here (technically in GA) and on Lookout MT.(again, in GA, but who's keeping track?)

Or maybe like me you went to Chattanooga to stand on Lookout Mountain and See Seven States from Rock City.

and to see waterfalls, caves, rivers and more.

Would you like a Coke with that?

Let me just preface this post by saying I do not in any way advocate drinking soda. I personally choose not to consume it- too many nasty ingredients to make it worth my while- did you know aspartame can chemically alter the genetic makeup of your brain? Who thinks of this stuff anyways?

That may sound a little two faced, I mean I did spend a whole afternoon touring a Coca-Cola museum and then raced around a sticky floor trying to consume all the carbonation my stomach could muster but I'd like to justify my actions by stating that I never drink it! Unless of course I'm in a village on a dusty road and I've just been offered a side of goat with my spicy rice and the only way this is going down is with a Fanta, but only then. 

Okay, now that we are all being honest with one another I'll share about my afternoon. It was pretty great. They even give you a free Coke when exiting. After all, they are trying to make addicts out of us. I think they are too great at their jobs. Anyway, the museum contains the how, why, history and their delight in making Coke products.  Such fun. 

Much of the museum is standard, you walk through different exhibits learning about the history. "New Coke", Classic Coke, etc. But the best part of this museum is the tasting exhibit. I think all these folks would agree with me:

And these folks:

The exhibit has stations from every continent, of course we sampled as many as we could, I have a weakness for the flavors from Madagascar and Mexico. 

If you're ever in Atlanta, even if you never drink soda, you should stop by.You may discover a flavor you can't live without.  

Catching Fire

I couldn't resist.....just a few more I promise. 

Above: Our visit. Below: President Snow in all his glory.

Above: Amy in the dining room. Below: 'the talk' about how to handle Katniss. 

I think you get the gist of it. It was a pretty great afternoon. 

P.S. This garden is also in the film....you'll have to watch to find out where. 

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Have you ever toured a movie set? How about after the movie was filmed, did you visit where it was filmed? Did you know several scenes of the Hunger Games were filmed in Atlanta? Neither did we until this week. Even if you aren't a fan of the books and films viewing the home was definitely worth a visit. Who doesn't love walking through a 100 year old home? Not something you get to do every day. Unless of course you live in the Deep South......I'm telling you, you have to visit.

See these happy faces? They agree with me. 

The Swan House. 

May the odds be ever in your favor.

This room is in the film :) Along with several others below. Above: our tour. Below: Hunger Games Film. 

Not in the film...But who knew a staircase could look so wonderful. 

Above: Back of the Swan House. Below: Amy and Natalie.....just kidding that one is from the film. 

Shiny happy people

Who doesn't love a family reunion?

Even Bear Bryant enjoyed the family time. 

Reason #4

Are you a history buff? Me either but even though I can't quote you names and dates I still enjoy seeing what I can see.

Reason #3

Reason #3 New Orleans is worth a visit is enjoying the city with my husband. Okay, maybe you can't enjoy it with MY husband but I'm sure you can find someone to do the following with...

Sample and then buy a praline- now before you get carried away and mispronounce this word, praline, let me tell you how it should sound. Praaaa (think of opening your mouth up for the doctor) lean. We double checked with the locals and sure enough there is no 'y' is praline (pra-lean). 

But there is a lot of yumminess in them.

Ride the streetcar. Make sure you don't call it a trolley- those are in San Francisco. Here in the south they call them streetcars. For $3 you can get an all day pass and ride all over, a great way to see and experience the city. And I promise it isn't just for tourists. We saw several people use it for their transportation to work. 

And last, but certainly not least, you really have to walk the streets to get the right vibe. Artists, music, food, people, shops, history and architecture all can be found on the streets, streets that only a crazy person would try to drive. 

Hoping you find someone to share the city with!

Reason #2

Another reason to love New Orleans is the architecture. So much history and care and expression went into the homes and buildings downtown. It really can't be described, it has to be lived. 

Just like most cities there are different districts, the business district, the garden district, the french quarter (ok, not every town has a french quarter). What's unique about New Orleans is that the new and the old are build right next each other, as well as the beautiful and the not so beautiful. 

This is right across the street from the Mississippi River (also H&M and Urban Outfitters)

One of my favorites, yellow is such a happy color

See what I mean but old and new together. The shorter building is from 1890, something tells me the taller one isn't quite that old. 

A feast for the eyes, look no further than downtown New Orleans.

Wish you were there? Here is a little drive by video for you.

Mardi Gras

What happens when you visit New Orleans the weekend after Fat Tuesday? We did miss all the parades and the chaos that goes along with them but we did get to see the aftermath. 

Maybe someday we'll go for the actual event but for now a few days after was good enough for us.

We did get to ride in the streetcar on the parade route, does that count?

New Orleans

We spent the weekend in New Orleans, or should I say Nolans (said with a Louisiana accent). It was refreshing to be in a city. I'm not usually one for big crowds, loud noises and lots of smells but I am learning to appreciate the diversity that comes with city life. 

I often feel like the odd man out in our current city, it's a little.....well not so diverse. But New Orleans is everything but the same. Maybe our next move will be to the 'big easy'. 

New Orleans, how I appreciate you. Reason #1

Entertainment

Around every corner, there is someone ready to entertain you with tricks, hula hoops and music.

Music could be heard for a block or two and just as the sound began to fade another musician appears. What's not to love?