Lookout Mountain

I was on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee today.  I never wind  up Ochs highway or Scenic Highway without remembering the first time I went up Lookout Mountain. First a little geography. When most people think of Lookout Mountain, they think of Lookout Mountain,  Tennessee.  Actually, only three miles of the mountain are in Tennessee.  Thirty one miles are in Georgia and over fifty miles in Alabama. Most people also think that the world famous Rock City is in Tennessee. But Rock City is in Georgia.

Until 1992 when Chattanooga opened The Tennessee Aquarium, most of the local attractions were on Lookout Mountain.  Rock City is in Georgia.  Ruby Falls is in Tennessee, the Incline Railway is in Tennessee.

When I was six years old, my great aunt took my brother and me and several cousins from Enterprise, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  How do I remember I was six years old?  When my memory is that clear that many years ago there's usually a little trauma involved. I was about to start the first grade and I  had had my smallpox vaccination.  Back then if you still had the scab, you were not allowed to swim.  At least that was so in my family.  I remember my big brother giving me grief that everybody else could swim but me. I forgave him many years ago. And we now travel together quite often.

My aunt was great in every way possible. It was not enough for her just to drive us up the mountain and see Chattanooga from the clouds.  She took us to Rock City, Ruby Falls, the Incline Railway and to the Confederama. This attraction was then at the foot of the mountain and is now known as the Battles for Chattanooga and is near Point Park at the top of the mountain, She not only paid our way into these places but let us all shop and buy something in the gift shops.  I bought a coonskin cap in one of those places and my Dad called me Crockett until the day he died.

It's funny what you remember, isn't it?  I remember that the Chattanooga weather report came on at a strange time.  At home it came on at 5pm.  In Chattanooga it came on at 6pm.  I learned the words "time zone."  I didn't know what that meant except that all the television shows were at strange times. Some didn't come on until it was time to go to bed. I mean why not just have things at the time they're supposed to be?  Why would you want to mess with the correct time?

I am fascinated and thrilled with how our memories get all mixed up with what we are actually doing. On my way  up the mountain this afternoon I drove by Rock City and Ruby Falls. The aquarium hasn't pulled all the business from Lookout Mountain.  The parking lots of both attractions were full. On my way back home I went by the Incline Railway.  It too was teeming with tourists about to board the train. i chuckled remembering when I took my then four year old granddaughter to ride the train. Although at six I must have appreciated the view, at sixty three I am overwhelmed.  The view of the Tennessee River at Moccasin Bend is one of the most spectacular views that the southeast United States affords. I always think "People come from all over the world to see this and I live less than fifteen miles from here."

When I write and publish I try to have a point--a moral, a suggestion, a thought for the day or something like that.  Tonight I am simply relating a powerful and joyful memory compliments of my incredible aunt..  And celebrating that I am alive and well to see it all again on this extraordinarily beautiful day.

But a thought for the day?  Be that great aunt to some child as soon as you can and as often as you can.  Long after you're dead and gone they can enjoy those priceless memories again and again.