Gadsden, AL to Chattanooga, TN
Losing an hour crossing the time zone this morning was tough our our schedule. We tried to wake up and get out super early but we ended up getting to Lookout Mountain about 30 minutes later than we had intended. Luckily, it was not at all crowded there today.
Besides the beautiful views, we wanted to visit this area because my husband and I each have a 4th Great Grandfather who served in the 110th Illinois Volunteer Infantry at the Battles for Chattanooga & Chickamauga: Benjamin Harvey Capps and John Wesley Smith. Our 4th Great Grandfathers served in the same regiment but in different companies -- they have an incredible Civil War journey and we fit in a few spots on this part of our road trip.
As we drove to Tennessee, briefly crossing into Georgia (state #9 of the trip), I read Harvey's bio to the kids and talked a little about how JBS's civil war experience was different from that of BHC & JWS. The point I think stuck with them the most was that, while JBS traveled mostly by river, BHC & JWS marched. They marched great distances in less than ideal conditions. They marched up and down mountains. They marched through many states.
We drove up Lookout Mountain (very thankful not to be marching) and explored Point Park.
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| Point Park on Lookout Mountain |
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| "Point Lookout" - Iconic Spot Where Many Soldiers Posed For Pictures on Lookout Mountain |
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| Lookout Valley from Lookout Mountain |
We drove back down the mountain and into Chattanooga for lunch at Maple Street Biscuit Company. My son is a huge fan of breakfast sandwiches. I found this restaurant when we were planning and I just knew we had to make it there for a meal. It did not disappoint. All three kids had delicious custom-ordered bacon, egg & cheese biscuits, I had a BLT biscuit, my husband got the BAM! Yo Yo to check chicken & waffles off his southern dining checklist, and we all shared sweet potato fries. Delicious food and the place had a great vibe.
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| BAM! Yo Yo at Maple Street Biscuit Company in Chattanooga |
After lunch, we explored the riverfront at Coolidge Park. It was an immaculate park, beautifully landscaped along the Tennessee River and with nice facilities. The kids took a ride on the 100 year old carousel and we enjoyed some ice cream and shaved ice from Bill's stand.
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| Coolidge Park Carousel |
Feeling refreshed, we headed to Orchard Knob where we know BHC & JBS were engaged in the campaign and the 110th is inscribed on the Illinois monument that stands there.
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| Illinois Monument at Orchard Knob |
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| 110th Infantry |
Sadly, the Orchard Knob reserve was a bit rundown -- overgrown with trash strewn about.
Our last stop for the day brought us halfway back up the mountain. It looked as though there had been a big storm not too long ago as we saw a few huge trees uprooted -- one had fallen across the road and the section blocking the road had just been cut out. It felt like an adventure to get to Cravens House on the narrow winding mountain road.
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| Markers for Cravens House on Lookout Mountain |
We were all ready to relax at the hotel so we opted for a quick dinner at Jack's -- yet another chain we don't have in Illinois. It was pretty good. The kids were all thrilled to get their own big milkshakes with dinner.
After a quick stop for gas and a run-in to the grocery store to replenish our snack break provisions, we called it a night.