Mountain Creek Road is my Hizzle in the Drizzle

Some days don't lend themselves to being outside but since I had just started this endeavor of walking somewhere different everyday with the Secret the Wonder Pup, I wanted to keep my streak going...and by streak I mean number of days walking consecutively...I'm not that kind of walker.

So one day last the forecast was full of rain and thunderstorms. I feared getting out on a trail somewhere and being caught in the midst of a giant thunderstorm so I put on my shoes, clipped the leash on Secret and we walked in the hood. Living on the Mountain Creek Road area of Chattanooga gives you perks to having the marvelous view of Signal Mountain and the often flat or rolling choices to walk on make for an easy walk.

We started off in Spring Valley Subdivision because the big loop in this neighborhood has less traffic and is an easy mile warm up. Many runners come through this neighborhood as part of their recurring path because it's a great place for being active...and here is a little hint for you- if you are feeling really froggy there is a power line easement that has a nice little path through the gigantic overgrowth that will take you straight into the parking lots of the baseball fields of Red Bank Middle and High schools. In the past I've put in some running and then headed over to the football stadium to do a few reps on the bleachers and then run the track....it breaks up the monotony of just track running. But once again, I digress...
On the day I'm mentioning Secret and I went through the neighborhood and had the delight of seeing horses grazing in the field, smelling the sweet scent of honeysuckles and magnolia blossoms on this drizzly Wednesday. As we walked past the pond in Spring Valley I had to stop to take a few photos of the blooming lily pads, and of course Secret needed a drink.
 We then took a left out of Spring Valley subdivision and walked to the walking paths next to Red Bank Elementary School (I believe that park is called the Mountain Creek Greenway). This day's walk was all on asphalt and concrete and more in the open than what Secret is use to doing.

About a year and a half ago Secret the Wonder Pup was lost from us for a whole week. Fortunately for us she was picked up by the wonderful people at the humane society. She had been hit by a car and had to have a couple of surgeries on her hip. This walk along the wrong was definitely not her favorite. She gets a little nervous around moving cars but I had her heel on my left side which put her a bit away from the traffic and she did better.

Once we were walking along the paths next to Red Bank Elementary, she loved it. There was an older lady there with a small dog that obviously wanted to meet the notorious Secret the Wonder Pup so we stood for less than 5 minutes and let them sniff each other a bit. Which leads me today's thought...this new endeavor is social. I really didn't think walking the dog at various locations alone would be something that would be social but Secret is quite striking with her one blue eye and one brown eye and most people say hello to her and even ask if they can pet her when we are out and about. People who are exercising are friendly as a rule. They say hello when they pass you...possibly because of the release of all those happy endorphins as you exercise?

On this day, we stayed close to home but the Chattanooga views and experiences were still top notch. This was a day that proved you can get the most of a day if you just put a little effort into it. In our fair city you don't have to go far to experience #CHA the beautiful. Get out and walk the dog- it will be good for both of you.

Wheland Foundry Trailhead- Beauty from Ashes.

And this is how it all began...the concept of this blog came from my DAY 2 goal to #walkthedog. Secret, the wonder pup, and I got in the car and I was going to park at Craven's House and hike up Lookout Mountain but traffic had other ideas for us. Och's Highway was closed and everything was a madhouse all around Lookout so I ditched my plan and decided to check out the the Wheland  Foundry Trailhead. As an educator that works across the road from this entry point onto the urban pathway that connects St. Elmo to Chickamauga Dam, I will often grab lunch and pull into the parking lot at the ranger station and stare at Lookout Mountain out my window while I woof down my delightful meal of Taco Bell. Sometimes 20-30 minutes to redirect your mind is well worth the leave. So naturally I had been wondering what lies beyond the parking lot!

So Secret and I jumped out of the car and started down the very nice, wide urban pathway on our Day 2 Adventure goal of walking/hiking different locations in the Chattanooga area. I'll be honest, I started the walk with disappointment because my original plan got thwarted and after the first curve my immediate thought was "Ugh, there isn't going to be anything beautiful about this walk." Typical Julie, always looking for perfection but as a friend told me just this week (and should be written everywhere so I can have a gentle reminder) Comparison is the thief of joy. So I immediately decided to start looking for the good on this walk.

You see, this trailhead goes right through the middle of the factories that have been part of the Chattanooga culture and landscape since around the early 1900's. If you know more than 20 people that have call Chattanooga home, you can probably do the Six Degrees of Separation test and find they know someone that has a connection to Wheland Foundry, U.S. Pipe, or Siskin Steel. And honestly, that whole quote by Walter Cronkite in 1969 that Chattanooga was the dirtiest city in America had a lot to do with these 3 companies. As you enter our city you see these factories and they have gotten much bad press over the years. I also know that they have given back to this community in some wonderful ways as well. For instance, the Siskin brothers founded the Siskin Institute for Children here in Chattanooga that does some marvelous things for children with special needs (and without) and their families. But needless to say, when you think you are going on a hike to enjoy nature, this area wouldn't be your top Chattanooga pick....or would it.

As I said, I started looking for the good. I noticed the little yellow flowers growing up between the cracks of the warn out asphalt that was fenced off along my walk. I noticed the run down factory standing in magnificent contrast to the Lookout Mountain. I saw the black-eyed susan's blooming along the pathway. The fragrance of mimosa trees intermingled with the creosote from the railroad ties as I walked along. I noticed the wisteria growing along the fence lines with the bright orange trumpet flowers and while walking directly under the interstate I came across some plump blackberries just asking to be picked. All in the midst of what would be considered ugliness, came this unexplainable contrast of nature and industry.

I obviously wasn't the first person to notice it. I mean, it became quickly apparent that was the goal of this portion of the urban path as I would past some really amazing artistic metal sculptures the irony of it all was not lost on me, nor on anyone that would be willing to see the beauty that these industries actually brought to the Chattanooga area for so many years. Jobs for our residents, metal for wars past, and businesses that invested and some continue to invest where they are still planted.

 When I first started this walk I refused to see it for the beauty that was there. I only saw the worn out buildings. But then I realized that the shade those buildings were giving me along the pathway was pretty awesome during the heat of that Juneteenth day. I also realized that I found a well kept secret...photographers everywhere bring seniors to a bright pink wall on the Northshore or a polka-dotted on on the Southside for that perfect "Chattanooga" pic...but I found this
black and white wall that everyone has been missing out on. Of course, Secret the Wonder Pup was happy to model (in a prone position) and take a little rest on this part of the walk.

And then it hit me, I thought... wait a minute, I've seen this building before! I remembered the photo that my children gave me for Christmas this year...and while I am fairly certain they were trespassing to take the photo, I'm thankful that I have raised two girls that can see the beauty in things much more quickly than their old mom can! I also realized, I'm thankful that they only know Chattanooga for the beautiful place it is and has been known for during their time here in the scenic city.

So I challenge you, head to the Wheland Foundry Trailhead and look for the beauty that comes from ashes and focus on #CHA the beautiful.

The Secret of Stringers Ridge on the Northshore

According to the Chattanooga.gov website, "Stringer's Ridge a 92-acre urban wilderness park in North Chattanooga overlooking the Tennessee River. The result of a citizen based effort to preserve one of the last large natural areas within the City of Chattanooga limits, the park features easy to moderately technical multi use trails, a Civil War cannon placement and spectacular views of the city." (http://www.chattanooga.gov/public-works/parks/greenways-trails) and according to the Outdoor Chattanooga website, "there are 3 trail loops covering 10 miles rated easy to strenuous and technical." (https://outdoorchattanooga.com/land/stringers-ridge-park-day-hiking/)

This spot is less than 3 miles from the city center of Chattanooga, Tennessee and less than 5 miles from my own home. It's always been a "go to" for Secret the wonder pup and I to get out in nature quickly. As you can see from the above the description, it is 92-acres right in the city and while you are hiking it you don't feel like you are in the city at all. It's ease of access and meandering wilderness make you forget that you are minutes from great food, industry, businesses, tourism, and the hub of all things economic in the Chattanooga area. If you are thinking, "oh that sounds like a lovely park"...think again. Think WILDERNESS. The only paved roads are ones that existed from years ago and are not maintained as such...and the trails are just that- cleared places along the woods. It is known for its mountain bike, hiking, and trail running opportunities. Every time I go there I have this feeling of aloneness but it is always punctuated with a realization that "oh wow, there is someone running just right over there"... and I like that. The trails are many, so the options never get boring.

One of my most favorite views in Chattanooga happens to be on Stringer's ridge. Most of the time as you are hiking along you can't see the forest for the trees so to speak, but take the old asphalt trail known as the Cherokee trail

 and it will soon open up to a view of North Chattanooga and the Chattanooga waterfront that makes my heart smile every time I experience it! I have a certain love for North Chattanooga and seeing the signature blue of the Market and Walnut street bridges reminds me that down below is a little donut shop that people I love work in.

So if you are looking for a little gem in Chattanooga, Stringer's Ridge is it. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Parking is often tight but well worth the chance. There is a lot of shade so it can be a fairly nice walk no matter what time of day. And if you are looking for the perfect day may I make a suggestion? Do North Shore....

Spend your morning hiking on Stringer's Ridge then drive down to the Hip to Historical Northshore of Chattanooga. Make sure to head to Julie Darling Donuts to grab one of their splendidly delicious offerings (and tell them Julie sent you)! Then meander over to Winder Binder Book Gallery & Bookstore, Blue Skies and some of the other eclectically awesome stores along Frazier. In a shopping mood? The Northshore is the place of several awesome boutiques! Walk down to the Coolidge Park area and visit Emmaline's but be sure to check out Backstreet Betty's and Bella Rive Boutique as well. Honestly, if you are looking for just the right outfit, Northshore is the place to be!

 Getting hungry for lunch? There are many great options- Taco Mamacita on North Market is a favorite of mine but you definitely can't go wrong by visiting River Street Deli...choosing between the two would just be hard! Once you finish lunch, don't forget to walk down to Coolidge Park through the passageway from Frazier to River Street and ride the carousel with it's beautifully hand carved animals. And if you are feeling the need to walk off that meal, take a walk across the Walnut Street bridge that is over your head. It's now a pedestrian bridge that connects the Northshore to downtown Chattanooga- and recently became dog friendly, again! The views are spectacular and will take you right of to the Bluff View Art District- a worthy artistic visit. Spend some time at Hunter Museum but come on back over the bridge and eat supper on the back deck or side deck of Brewhaus Pub. You'll soon see that I love gazing at our city!

As you can see, I'm a foodie but I also choose to be active to offset those foodie tendencies. So get out, walk the dog, see more of #CHA the beautiful!

And so it begins...

I love my city. Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA is nestled snuggly between rolling ridges, mountains, and hills we like to call mountains. It has the meandering Tennessee River running like a ribbon through its girth and there is much beauty and celebration that happens along its waterways. Our city is known for its lure to the outdoor aficionado but it is quickly becoming a hub for the innovators, technologists, and futurist thinking startups. Did I mention I love my city?

You see, I've lived here in Chattanooga since the ripe old age of 11 and without blurting out my age (because that's just not ladylike for a southern woman to do), lets just say I've seen a lot of change in this city that I love! In 1969 Walter Cronkite who had the ear of Americans across the globe as a leading news man of the era dubbed Chattanooga the dirtiest city in America. Not a title that any city would be proud of but this factory town didn't like that label and for the last almost 50 years, we have been doing something about it! But I digress...

The point of this post is to explain why I wanted to start blogging about my city. The reason is actually very much intertwined with the above paragraph. As an educator and a mother of college age and beyond children, I have more free time on my hands in the summer than I have had in the past. With that, I decided that this summer I would go on a hike to a different location in the Chattanooga area as often as possible this summer with my super pup- Secret the border collie.
 It was on day 2 of this plan that I realized just how far Chattanooga had really come, how what I was doing was worthy of sharing with the world, and how the adventures of Julie and Secret could be something that other people might want to take on as well. So, I'm going to share our walks and hikes with you and I am also going to share some little nuggets about Chattanooga that might also interest you....because I LOVE #CHA - so get ready to see my newly the created hashtags for this ongoing adventure:
#CHAthebeautiful
#walkthedog
#SecrettheWonderPup