May 11, 2025
In April, we decided to take two trips in one month: one to Nashville, TN and one to Chattanooga, TN. We are beach bums who love to travel to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. However, since having our baby (who is now a 2-year-old), we tend to crave shorter distances and less driving.
The Nashville trip was one of photos and wonder as we visited a mansion. More on that later. The Chattanooga trip, however, was one of biking and activity. On our way there, I must mention that we had a tire blowout! I was terrified because we were actually in the middle of nowhere and still had an hour of driving ahead of us. Coincidentally, this was also the day we found out that our mini van we purchased about 9 months before this trip, did not include a spare tire! Having no one who could come to us and help, we had an air pump with us. My husband had the idea to air up this flat tire every mile or so until we could make it to a tire shop, and that is exactly what we did!
Our kids (we have 4 of them ages 2, 9, 12, and 14) were quickly losing patience. Let’s be honest, we were too! Picture us pulling over every few minutes on a back road surrounded by nothing but cow fields. It is hilarious to look back on. The kids complained of the smell of cow manure. The toddler yelled “I am hungry” to which I pulled out my homemade chicken salad and crackers, thankful that I had packed food. Kids have a funny way of entertaining themselves. Check out “Duckie” who was chilling in the driver’s side seat while Though slowly, we did make it to a tire shop and soared onward!
Once we got there, I was kind of skeptical. All I could see was a river and although it was pretty, I wondered how great this bike trail could be that my husband planned for us. When we first started riding and rounded the corner, nature got so pretty! There was an area on the river with a dam. It is hard to explain, but with the birds flying around, I actually felt like I was on the docks in London (maybe I read too much of “Call the Midwife” on the way there).
My family got frustrated with me several times as I stopped to take in the beauty of my surroundings and pulled out the ole’ Fujifilm to snap away! Growing up in the outskirts of Knoxville all of my life, I was surprised at just how beautiful Chattanooga is (and even more surprised I have never been inside the city)! I had only ever been on the outskirts while traveling on our way to other states!
This year, I have tried to focus on the beauty of our own state. Tennessee certainly does have much to offer (even if not beautiful crashing waves)! Chattanooga was a breath of fresh air. More urban and bustling than Knoxville, and slightly richer in culture. I saw beautiful buildings and stunning architecture. The people were friendly. While riding down the streets, it seemed everyone who lived in this magical place was outside! The sun was shining perfectly, hence why I have so many gorgeous photos to share. The city almost seemed to have a soundtrack.
At one point, I rounded the corner and saw a man strumming away on a guitar. I easily framed this in my mind as a video clip that might be played on someone’s audition for American Idol! As I rode across the highest bridge I have ever been on in my life, I tried to focus on the various pickin’ away at their instruments, cases laid at their feet with various donations.
The end of our biking trip one way came when we reached a downtown area that was full of people! I spotted an ice cream shop called Clumpies. There are many things I can resist in life, but ice cream is my all time favorite food there ever was! Did you know ice cream used to only be a delicacy reserved for royal members? Okay, enough nerd talk. This shop was vintage looking, and when I say bustling, I mean BUSTLING! We spent an hour at the least waiting in line. To my amazement, I was not even aggravated to have to stand there. I took some pictures and watched the workers make waffles from scratch and bend them into waffle cones! The ice cream was amazing and should be at the top of your stops to make if you are ever in the area!
Overall, I would rate Chattanooga a 10/10! This is a great city to visit with your family. If you have bikes, you must go for a ride here! It took us about 2 hours to get through the biking trails and we did not complete it. There are various stops, playgrounds, the river, and barges to see, and it is just a refreshing change of pace for the soul! I cannot wait to go back!
