 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Go
Out and Play in Chattanooga By Susan B. Barnes
However you arrive, by air or car, you'll be astounded by the beauty of Chattanooga. This jewel of a city is enfolded in the mountains and rivers that surround it-an outdoor enthusiast's ideal destination. Whether you're looking for hiking trails, white water rafting adventures, over-the-top fun or natural attractions, Chattanooga and its surrounding areas have it all. About a half an hour's drive southwest of Chattanooga you'll find the Ocoee River and the Ocoee Olympic Center, surrounded on all sides by the Cherokee National Forest. The center was designed to fit into the surrounding area without disturbing or imposing upon the natural beauty. Construction of the $14 million center began in 1994 in preparation for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics' kayaking events. The only competitive slalom course built on a natural river, the quarter-mile course on the Ocoee quickly became a favorite among athletes from around the world. The Ocoee attracted 15,000 spectators a day during the Olympic events, all lined along the river sitting in temporary bleachers or standing along a viewing area. The Ocoee's water flow, used to generate energy, is controlled by the Tennessee Valley Authority and is available in the summer months for commercial rafting, though kayakers can be found enjoying the water year-round. A sterile river, meaning no fish or plant life grow, the venue is available for special events upon approval. Blue holes can be found throughout the river. These holes are natural pools of water and are over 750 million years old and are enjoyed by swimmers in the summer months. If hiking is more your style, the Olympic Center has something to offer you, too. Cross over the Legacy Bridge, a suspension bridge that sways with each step, into 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. These trails, ranging in length from just under one mile to over six, wind up the mountainside towards the Little Frog and Big Frog wilderness centers that surround the compound. And your four-legged hiking buddies are welcome, too; just be sure to use a leash! Park rangers are nearly always on-hand, and though the center's hours vary season to season, restroom facilities are always available. After you've had all the adventure you can handle on land and water, it's time to hit another type of currents - air currents. Take the winding, scenic drive up Lookout Mountain to the Lookout Mountain Flight Park and Training School, America's number-one hang gliding school that graduates more pilots annually than any other school in the world. Founded in 1978, the school has delighted in teaching people how to soar like an eagle. If you're a novice, don't worry-your certified instructor will give you a full lesson on the ground before taking you into the air. When you're ready, you'll go flying - in tandem, of course. You and your instructor will be towed behind an ultralite plane to 2,000 feet, much like a water skier is towed behind a speedboat. The tow cord will then be unhooked and you'll play in the currents with other birds, the wind rustling your hair and the views incredible. After about 15 minutes or so, you'll be back on the ground, anxious to go back up. Packages range from an hour to a long weekend - the choice is yours. For those wanting to spend some time at the flight school, make plans to stay in the 44-acre mountain retreat with camping and lodging readily available. Whether you opt to camp in a tent, sleep in a bunkhouse or rent a cabin, it'll be sure to be an experience you won't soon forget. Once you're back on the ground, take the short drive to Rock City and Rock City Gardens. Rock City, an attraction for sightseers since 1823, is as beautiful today as it must have been when it was first discovered. Garnet Carter, a Tennessee native and entrepreneur, went about developing a residential community known as Fairyland on Lookout Mountain, and was the creator of the first miniature golf course. While he was busy developing, Garnet's wife, Frieda, started forging paths through the naturally formed gardens, squeezing through narrow passageways such as Needle's Eye and Fat Man's Squeeze, and up to the sweeping views from Lover's Leap. A year after it's opening in 1932, the 15-acre Rock City Gardens won an award for conservation, and it's no wonder. Frieda's trail is lined with more than 400 different species of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. The Chattanooga area in general boasts 300 kind of trees and 900 varieties of wildflowers, more than anyplace on earth except central China. These trees and flowers are abundant today at Rock City. Now run by Garnet and Frieda's great nephew, Bill Chapin, Rock City attracts is a unique geological and environmental attraction that the young, elderly and infirmed can enjoy, and "lightens the heart, soothes the soul and makes you feel good," according to Mr. Chapin. With more than half a million international visitors a year, Rock City is sure to attract people for generations to come. If you want your stay to last a little longer, why not consider staying in Garnet's Fairyland community. The Chanticleer Inn, an inviting bed and breakfast, welcomes guests year-round. With 17 beautifully furnished rooms in the main house and five additional standalone cottages, there is plenty of room to spread out. Rates, including breakfast, range from $99 to $179 a night. With all that Chattanooga has to offer, it's evident as to why the city's motto is "The attraction's only natural." For
more information, contact:
|
