Since we are new to the area and having not spent a lot of time in the Southeastern part of the country very much at all before moving here a year ago, it’s been fun to go out and see and explore new things in the towns near us. There are so many things on my list to go and visit and experience I get so excited just thinking about it. When Reid was asked to come to Chattanooga for some photo shoots I knew we had to tag along and make a day of it.
Chattanooga is only a two hour drive from where we live and yet the vibe of the city was so different. We parked by Coolidge park which is just on the other side of downtown since that is where Reid was going to be doing all his photo shoots. The downtown area is connected to the park by a long pedestrian bridge. It’s a really pretty bridge but considering I walked across it four times pushing three kids in a double stroller, it’s appeal was lost after the first cross-over.
The girls were so excited to explore the Tennessee Aquarium. It’s not as big as the Georgia Aquarium by any means but I actually appreciated it’s size because I have littles and it was just enough to keep their excitement without being overwhelmed or growing tired of it. We started at the Ocean aquarium and the girls loved the penguins, butterflies, jelly fish and sharks. It’s always more fun as a parent to experience their excitement and see their eyes light up at something new.
After the aquarium, it was hot and we still had time before we were meeting Reid for a picnic lunch back at the park so I changed the girls into their swimsuits and let them splash in the fun little splash area in between the aquariums. I hate to say it but this was definitely a highlight for the girls.
After lunch (and two more cross overs on the bridge, sweat anyone? Still getting used to the humidity…) we had tickets to the IMAX movie Journey to the South Pacific. I was pretty excited for the air conditioning and to sit down for a bit and Sadie was excited to wear her 3D glasses. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I took a four year old, 2 year old and 1 year old to the movie. I think I was hoping the baby would fall asleep and the girls would just be into the movie. Well baby did not fall asleep and was loud and I was getting looks, and 2 year old was over it and 4 year old was really sad we didn’t get to stay the whole time. Of course a promise back to the splashing area made her immediately perk up.
We finished out the day with the River Journey side of the Aqaurium and the stars of the show were the river otters and the turtles. My girls could not get enough. A little more splashing, a lost child and a tearful reunion (scariest five minutes of my life- thank you kind people for finding my two year old!) and we decided time to cross the bridge one last time for a little snack and iPad time in the park while we wait for Reid to finish his photo shoot. I was so glad we decided to go when we did because as soon as I got up on the bridge a storm starting blowing through. I felt like I was pushing an elephant across. 20 minutes later it starting pouring and concluded our day in Chattanooga.
Because of the rain we weren’t able to make it to Ruby Falls or Rock City which was what we were really looking forward to, so it looks like we will come back some day soon!
