Is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

Yesterday Clint and I took a little trip to Chattanooga, TN.  It has been over a decade ago since we had last visited the city. 

We first stopped at All Books, we had  visited this quaint and charming
used book store about twelve years  ago.

I had not forgotten how rude the owner was to me all those years ago.  I had picked up a magazine from a box on the floor and had carefully placed it back in the box when I had finished looking at it.  The owner came up and asked me if I had looked at a magazine from the box.  I replied that I had and she proceeded to give me a talkin' to about how I had not placed it back in the box properly ...blah blah blah

This is the very sad state of the book store today.

Are there any fire codes in the city of Chattanooga, TN?

There were several free and recent alternative newspapers on the
floor and I picked one up.  I was going to ask her if I could have it
on the way out.  OMGosh...after a few minutes I realized the newspaper
was WET ... it was her poor little dog's BATHROOM!

Our next stop was wonderful ... we had always enjoyed eating at the Big River
Grille and Brewing Works on Broad Street.  We were delighted to learn it was as good as ever.



Our server Grant was most attentive.  He was such a well-mannered
and professional  young man.  If you are seeing this Grant, thank you again
for making our return trip to the Grille so special!



We are not beer drinkers but Grant introduced us by way of shot
glasses a new beer concoction called "Espresso Stout".

Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it!  Clint ordered a glass
after he tried it.

Well ... maybe the shot glass was not a shot glass after all ...

maybe it was a little larger.  Clint and I actually ordered wine
with our lunch.  I was having the thought before lunch and he shared he
had entertained the same thought. 

So a glass of wine it was, we could not remember the last time we'd
had wine with lunch.



Clint had the southwestern chicken sandwich
with cilantro mayonnaise.



After our most enjoyable lunch, we headed up to the arts district ... on foot.
Shown ahead is ONE of the hills.  I usually can keep up with Clint
but yesterday I was having a little problem.  It was about 91 degrees.

A beautiful view yesterday of the Tennessee River off of a bridge.

Oops ... forgot to include my New  England Clam Chowder, half of
a Brewster's Club Sandwich and vegetables.  The clam chowder
was so velvety and delicious!



BTW, in 1977 I had a painting hanging in this museum
as part of the Tennessee Watercolor Society's Traveling
Exhibition.



What detailed  restoration work is being done on top of the museum.

We walked by this taste of Mayberry in Chattanooga on our walk yesterday.

The museum on the limestone bluff.  Next photo is a closeup
of the little bluish shed-like building attached to the bluff.

Not sure about this little building's purpose..  I don't think
I want to walk down to it and find out.

You might want to read Clint's account of our wonderful day on his blog.

http://youtu.be/QzHIn5S-RbY



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