Saturday, January 26, 2008

Round Robin Challenge: Landmarks

The Round Robin Photo Challenge this time around comes from Carly...
Again, let's take an opportunity to show off our hometowns. I live in the Bay Area, so I have no real shortage of recognizable landmarks, so what I would do is try to show those landmarks in an interesting lighting circumstance, such as a sunset, or under special lighting conditions. But I want to see other places, and the landmarks that make those places so special. A beautifully designed building, an incredible bridge, or a monument of some sort, or maybe even an unusual road sign. It's all good!
Here in Chattanooga, one of the most recognizable landmarks is Lookout Mountain. It is visible almost anywhere in the Chattanooga Valley, and with one look at it you can pretty much figure out where you are. Here's what it looks like from across the valley on Missionary Ridge.



Here's another view from Missionary Ridge. In this one, you can see I-24 as it passes through the ridge on it's way toward downtown Chattanooga.



Here's a view of Lookout Mountain from downtown. This picture was taken on the Walnut Street Bridge over the Tennessee River. Another newer landmark is visible to the right. It's the Tennessee Aquarium, the anchor to Chattanooga's riverfront development.



Here's a view of the Tennessee Aquarium from street level -- Broad Street, to be exact.


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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Round Robin Challenge: Railroads

I haven't participated in a Round Robin Photo Challenge in quite a while. I'm hoping to do it more often as soon as I can come up with some new equipment (hopefully soon), but I couldn't pass up the topic of "Railroads."

Chattanooga, of course, is home to the Chattanooga Choo Choo, made popular through the old Glenn Miller song. This building, the Terminal Station, is otherwise known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo. It's now part of the Holiday Inn chain and you can sleep in railroad sleeper cars that have been converted into hotel rooms.



Then again, this may be the Chattanooga Choo Choo. On March 5, 1880, the first major public transportation linkage of the north and south was opened. The Cincinnati Southern Railroad, America's first municipal railroad system, began operations to Chattanooga. After a while, the trains on this run began to be called the "Chattanooga Choo-Choo."



There are several brick "sculptures" spread throughout downtown Chattanooga. There's even one at the airport. Here's a brick building. It's a model of the old Railway Boarding House.



Here's an old railroad marker that's seen better days.


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I'd hoped to have more. I wish I'd had time to visit the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum...or the Incline...or just get some random pictures of trains, but these will have to do for now.