But as we departed from Murphy on Wednesday morning, we took a roundabout side trip on the Southern Highroads Trail. This leads through some scenic byways in southwestern North Carolina and northeast Georgia. We passed through Blairsville, GA en route to Young Harris College. My sole purpose in visiting this small town was to report to my father, who spent two summers there in forestry camp back in 1931 and '32.
Here is a monument to the circuit-riding preacher who is credited with helping found the college. Almost nothing from my dad's era remains, but a helpful school historian gave me some interesting information about changes in recent years.
This column and the chapel behind it would have been there when Daddy was on campus.
From the school, there is an old trail called The Wagon Road Trail, which leads to Brasstown Bald Mountain, the highest peak in Georgia. That route is 7 miles, but by car, Judy and I traveled closer to 15 miles to arrive there. Then there was a steep three-mile road to the parking area near the summit. It put a strain on the car, but it was up to the test.
There is a modern museum, gift shop, observation deck, and new fire tower at the mountain now. When I was a boy, it was not a tourist attraction, but Daddy took our family there and took my picture a few steps up the old metal fire tower. When at forestry camp eight decades ago, Daddy had hiked, mapped, surveyed, and explored Brasstown Bald and the surrounding area. It was thrilling to me to be there again.
This picture was taken from the observation deck. Visitors were not allowed on the fire tower. I've always been scared of heights, so that was fine with me.
Judy and I could only imagine the view from the very top.
Although the Georgia mountains don't compare with North Carolina's Blue Ridge in altitude, Brasstown Bald rises so far above the surrounding area that its 360 degree view was stunning, nevertheless. From this vantage point we could gaze out at four states near Georgia: Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. Here is the western view toward Tennessee. 
This was the eastern view. We were told that looking south, on a clear day you can see Atlanta. I don't know how often that happens, but our view was very satisfactory and the weather was marvelous.
We had ridden a shuttle the last half mile to the mountaintop to try to preserve my knees, but we decided to hike the 0.6 mile trail down afterwards. It was so serene and picturesque we had no regrets about our decision.
Bidding fond farewell to Georgia, we re-connected with Highway 64 west of Murphy and continued on through some beautiful, if rugged country. We were delayed for a while by an accident some distance ahead of us. Some local folks turned around for alternate routes, but we had no choice but to wait. EMS vehicles departed at normal speeds with no lights flashing, so we hope those involved in the accident came through it without serious injury.
By 3:00 we had arrived at the luxurious Doubletree Hotel in downtown Chattanooga. We decided to proceed to one of the town's marquee attractions, its state-of-the-art aquarium. Personal and on-line testimonials had assured us it was one of, if not THE finest in the U.S. Since we had been impressed with one of North Carolina's coastal aquariums only last March, it is a huge compliment to say that from start to finish it was a totally fresh and different kind of experience. I don't have photos that can adequately explain the design. Imagine being in the center of a multi-story mammoth building with a series of ramps leading you progressively deeper. All the while, you're immersed in wonderful exhibits on every hand.
One exotic exhibit we enjoyed housed the Dragon Seahorses. They truly were other-worldly.
From high up in the aquarium we were treated to a sneak preview of several bridges that span the Tennessee River. The one with the blue arc in the center is the Market Street Bridge, which connects areas of North and South Chattanooga which have undergone a transformation in recent years. To the right of that bridge is a pedestrian bridge. Every city should have one! IF they have a river, that is.
To our left was a bridge with a four-lane highway. You can see one of the riverboats which offers seasonal river tours in conjunction with the aquarium. Maybe next time-- it didn't fit our busy schedule. Here, you can also see the new lighted pier and just a hint of the 10 mile riverwalk greenway.
Back to our underwater tour, how do you like this rainbow pallette of coral?
As you can see, the exhibits entailed much more than what lives in the rivers and sea. They seamlessly incorporated flora and fauna that lived near these environments, as well. In the butterfly garden I was astonished to see a "fruit-kabob" where butterflies snacked. Guests were asked to check their persons for "hitchhikers" when leaving this area.
I know what you're going to say now: "Tens of thousands of fish, and that Ken Loyd has to take pictures of those slimy snakes." To that I can only say, "They're not slimy." : )
We spent three awesome hours at the aquarium and were famished when we exited! Strolling back toward mid-town and our hotel, we settled on Sticky Fingers, a really great ribs place. We were slightly revived after that, if temporarily, and decided to take the free shuttle about 12 blocks to the famed Chattanooga Choo-choo. This is the sign that summons folks to the hotels, restaurants, and gardens around the old train depot.
Rows of old passenger cars were on display here, but only guests at the neighboring hotels could go inside. No problem; we weren't up for traveling another mile this night.
Even though it was dusk, I used the old faithful self-timer to snap me and Judy in front of the steam engine of renown, both of fact and legend.
We rode the free shuttle once more back to our hotel. I would be remiss if I did not mention that this shuttle was one of the most tourist-friendly ideas we've seen. You literally could spend three or four days in this part of town without moving your car (if you didn't care about going to Lookout Mountain and its attractions). To top it all off, the local folks we met on the shuttle were warm and welcoming. We learned some things from them that tour guides couldn't have told us.
Thursday would be our only full day in town, and we were ready to crash by 10:00. Next blog:
SEE
ROCK
CITY
et cetera
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