Our Travels Together

We took a weekend getaway to Chattanooga in March of this year. We never knew this little gem was so easy to get to. When we started looking for places to stay, we heard about a little B &B from some friends of ours on Twitter. The inn is called The General Woods Inn  and it is located in Rising Fawn, GA, about 15 minutes or so from downtown Chattanooga. The owners Bob and Nadine will make you feel completely at home and cater to your every need.

The bed and breakfast sits at the end of a road right off of the freeway, so it is easy to get to but very quiet. Mountains surround the inn so the scenery is gorgeous and romantic. The rooms are beautifully appointed and the beds are comfortable. The very heart of Chattanooga is very close. The weekend we stayed, we were there for two nights, and drove back and forth to the city.

While we visited the inn, Nadine made us dinner reservations at a very popular restaurant called the Canyon Grill. The restaurant sits on top of Lookout Mountain.

The menu is very fresh, as the chef goes to market daily and makes selection for that night’s menu. Now, you need to eat there early, if you don’t want to run the chance of them running out of things on the menu as they did when we went. By the way, our reservations were for 7:00 p.m., so we did not eat late. So go early!! The menu is pricey but well worth it.

In Chattanooga there is so much to see and do. We decided to visit the Terminal Brewhouse for lunch. They have a versatile menu and a great atmosphere.

After lunch we finally made our way into the city to spend the entire day at the Tennessee Aquarium . What an amazing place. Be sure and wear comfortable shoes! There are so many species of aquatic animals and the tanks are full of species of sharks, stingrays and fish of every possible color! It is a great place to bring the entire family for a full day of fun! You can even get a full year membership, which is what we did. What a bargain for the entire year. There is also an IMAX theatre across the street. We saw Hubble 3D in IMAX. What an experience. The movies vary each month and they run about every hour or so.  The very next day we went back to Chattanooga after staying another night at the inn and ate at the Terminal Brewhouse again, we liked it so much the first time! We finished the remainder of the aquarium because it took us two days to see it because we took our time and really went through it slowly. There is so much to do in Chattanooga. There is the riverwalk, there are river cruises, river adventures, art district, and many shops and restaurants. Look for another update from us when we go back and stay in the heart of the city and do all of the things mentioned above. We love Chattanooga and can’t wait to go back!

My husband and I just spent 11 days in the Smoky Mountains. I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful this country is. The mountains soar above small towns and houses that snuggle right up to the mountains. The people are generous and kind, love meeting people, and showing off their crafts to strangers. Never have I met such genuine people that honestly enjoy living where they do. When you ride out into the Smoky Mountain National Park, you cannot help but feel like you are in God’s country. The nature spectacle that is on display is amazing.

According to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park website, “Over 17,000 species have been documented in the park: Scientists believe an additional 30,000-80,000 species may live here. There are also over 100 species of trees in the park as well. Over 1,500 additional flowering plant species have been identified in the park. The park is the center of diversity for lungless salamanders and is home to more than 200 species of birds, 66 types of mammals, 50 native fish species, 39 varieties of reptiles, and 43 species of amphibians. Mollusks, millipedes, and mushrooms reach record diversity here.”

When we were there it was beautiful in the park with lots of snow. Here are some pictures.

                                    

If you are looking to stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge there are a variety of cabins, condos, etc…We have stayed in the same place every time and absolutely loved it. The condos sit in the park, and above Gatlinburg, so you are in the middle of everything. Yes, you can even get around when it snows as they plow and sand as soon as the weather begins to clear. We stay at Highlands Condominiums, these people will take care of you and there is free firewood available for the tenant’s use on sight.

                                                   

Please take the time to vacation in the Smoky Mountains, it is a trip you will not forget. We love it and I am sure you will too.