Slow row to hoe...

Sorry guys I am slow getting back into the swing of things.  Between to goings on at home and Corporate tax deadlines looming on the horizon, the blog has suffered.  It might take me till the end of September to get back into the swing of things so consider yourself warned.  However, I do have some great photos to show you today, and I think you'll love them.

Last weekend I got a rare opportunity to spend the entire weekend doing things that I like to do all by myself.  Jon took the little girls and went to the farm for a visit to celebrate Papa Edge's 60th birthday.  I packed up the car early Saturday morning and headed out for a short road trip.  Woo hoo!!  I was headed to Huntsville for some Connie time with a dear friend, but along the way I had plans.  These plans included Pointe Park on Lookout Mountain just outside Chattanooga and a rest area on Nickajack lake.  Sounds kinda funny doesn't it, but just you wait.

On the way to my first stop Pointe Park, I got a call from another Connie friend of mine....she said and I quote..."You are driving entirely to fast".  Huh???  To which she said 82mph is entire to fast...to which I again said huh??  then "Where are you??  Turns out I had just passed her and her husband on their way up to house hunt in Nashville.  So lesson learned Don't think that just because you are no where near your home town, that someone you know won't catch you speeding (just a little, and I did slow down). :D

Anyway once I got through the construction in Chattanooga and on my way up Lookout Mountain.  Now if you like to drive steep curvy roads (all you motorcycle riders) this is the ride to take, it was fabulous.  The views were gorgeous and the atmosphere was amazing.  It took my time but made it to the top of the mountain about 10am, and the light was gorgeous. The park had only been open for a short time so there were few visitors which was perfect for me.

 Pointe Park is a national historic park that was the lookout, hence the name of the mountain, for the confederate forces during the civil war.  Once you get to the lookout areas you can understand why.

These lookouts are positioned straight towards the city of Chattanooga, and out over Moccasin Bend in the Tennessee river below

There was a large battle at the base of Lookout Mountain as well as its slopes as the Union soldiers tried to take such a strategic position.  It was like having a birds eye view, so definitely a place you wanted to be in possession of.

The park is beautiful and well cared for.  There are walking trails that lead all the way down the mountain to the Craven house which has some great significance to the battle but I am embarrassed to say I didn't make it to on this trip.

 There are information plaques scattered around the park to help you understand the role that this position played in the battle of Chattanooga and then also the battle of Chicamagua just down the road in Georgia.

The is one of the paths that leads down the mountain.  It was beautiful and lead to a museum at another lookout point.

This old building held a few exhibits about photography on Lookout Mountain (definitely an interest for me), life in the camps and signaling used during the war to alert troops of enemy movements.  It was well presented and very fascinating.  If you are anything like me then you LOVE looking at old photographs and making up stories, and this little museum was just full of great old pictures.

 This is the view of Moccasin bend from the front patio of the Museum, Chattanooga is over to the right.

 There were many many photos in the museum of people sitting with their legs hanging over on that rock.  I think I would have to pass.

On of the side doors leading back out to the path to return to the top of the mountain.  I unfortunately had to go back up so that I could make it to Huntsville in time to relax in the pool. :D

 While I wouldn't dare go out on the one rock out crop, I did find a very interesting formation that I just had to have a picture near, so it was time to use the good ole timer setting.  Not a perfect picture but better then nothing. :D

 There is a very long stone wall that runs round the park, and has look out towers incorporated into it.  Definitely adds to the picturesque feeling.

 With your $3 entrance fee you also have access to a small interactive museum that tells you all about the Battle of Chattanooga, or The Battle in the Clouds.  The painting above and below was commissioned by one of the generals at the battle to show the last day of battle. 

 Lookout Mountain is in the upper left hand corner of this massive painting.  It is absolutely stunning in person, and the attention to detail is amazing.  Definitely worth seeing, actually the whole park is a must see if your in the area.  It makes for a tranquil couple of hours, with some very majestic views.

Once I left Pointe Park I was heading back North again and stopped at the rest stop on Nickajack lake, which so far in my travels is the most beautiful rest stop.  It sits on an island in the middle of the lake, so you have beautiful water all around you.  It was definitely a good place to stop and take a rest for a moment.

 On the north bound side rest area, you have a great view of this Trussel bridge.  This was the main reason for my stop.  I had seen it before in the car as we zoomed over the lake, but never got a chance to stop and really admire it.  So this trip I did.

There were speed boats everywhere so getting a picture without a boat was a great feet.  However it was  worth the time.

I then took just a couple of minutes to sit and reflect under one of the large shade trees on the bank.  The only other person there was an Asian monk who was also having a moment of reflection.  I thought it was a good sign that my weekend was going to be wonderful.  I had to take a minute to play with my camera again, this time a self portrait was in order, even without make up. With the timer sitting in my out-stretched hand, I think it came out pretty well.

I finally decided it was time to go and hopped back in the car and made it to Huntsville will plenty of time to enjoy the pool, Orange Cremesicles and then a good dinner and great movie with a fabulous friend.  Sunday brought more adventure so stay tune.