[Tintin]

Hi

Now that water reminds me of.................
I saw that in a movie i just seen

Great to take him to such a great yardsale

Tintin

[Smurfysmurf]

WT finally got his tour of Chattanooga...

Tennessee's nickname in the US is "the volunteer state". This name mostly came about because during the Civil War, TN wasn't a classic North or South state but was right in between...in the end TN volunteered for the South..however a lot of it's men decided to fight for the North, which meant that the term Brother against Brother was a very real one in TN..in fact, in some cases father and son met on the battlefield on opposing sides.

Everywhere you go in this part of the state, you are reminded of the Civil War, especially in Chattanooga which was place for some of the major battles during the war.

Southeners don't easily forget...and when I first came here I was surprised how much "yankees" are hated around here..this has changed mostly because the "Yankees" fell in love with this area and have moved here...and all of a sudden most Tennesseans realized that the Yanks aren't really that bad anymore

As with every area that has seen a lot of battles, there are cemetaries....here is the Confederate cemetary in Chattanooga in which the Southern soldiers of the Civil war are buried



Every TN town has this signs that explain the historic happening that occured in this place..for a history buff (and if you haven't noticed yet..I am one ) this is really an excellent thing



Next to this is the Chattanooga Aquarium which has replaced the Choo Choo as it's most known tourist attraction...I think nowadays, if you see a picture of Chattanooga, you will see the Aquarium somewhere in there



The Aquarium is right at the Tennessee river, and right next to the Southern Belle, which is an old retired Mississippi Riverboat.



Both of these are not far from Downtown chattanooga which used to be a industrial dumping ground when I moved here, but in the last 15 years has become one of the most beautiful places I have seen.

Here is an old mirror building that reflects the opposite building quite nicely

[Smurfysmurf]

And finally it was time to visit the Chattanooga Choo Choo which even had songs written for him....it's an old train that connected Cincinnati, OH (North) with Chattanooga, TN (South) fairly soon after the Civil War.









Like I said...the Civil War is never far away in these parts



It was time to drive home on the mountainous roads....



WT took one look at it..and decided to go in search for Syd Smurf ...on this beautiful butterfly


Next....Did WT finally find Syd Smurf?

[Cassiebsg]

Great pics and great history!
Glad WT Smurf is having so much fun on his world discoveries, and then well accompanied!

[Lia]

Thanks for your great pictures Maureen!
I remember my visit to the impressive battlefields in Gettysburg

well ,if WT manages to find a bottle of Duvel, he`ll probably find Syd!

[André]

Great pictures Maureen! Thanks!

The Chattanooga Choo-Choo!

[Tojo]

I've really enjoyed your photos of WT's travels with you around TN There is clearly a lot of history. What about native Indians? They must have also lived there but one only normaly hears about the plains Indians

I hope that WT is holding on tight to that butterfly as we wouldn't like him to fall of on his journey

[stampysmurf]

Wonderful pictures!

[Smurfysmurf]

I've really enjoyed your photos of WT's travels with you around TN There is clearly a lot of history. What about native Indians? They must have also lived there but one only normaly hears about the plains Indians

I hope that WT is holding on tight to that butterfly as we wouldn't like him to fall of on his journey

Hi Tojo, I actually live on the "Trail of Tears" during which the Cherokees that lived in this area, were sent on their way to the midwest...lots died on their way, it's really one of the most shameful parts of US history....can be compared to the Jewish tragedy in German in the 30s.

A lot of people here still have Indian blood in them (my great-great-grandmother was Cherokee..still have her picture) but nobody spoke about it so their history is unfortunately lost. Nowadays, lots of men go geocoaching in this area and find old Indian spearheads and so on..we also have Indian mounts in this area left..most were destroyed. Indian mounts are where the Indians buried their death..most were destroyed as settlers settled here..but a few are left. Most of the names in this area are Indian related (i.e. Sequatchie County where I live named, Chattanooga and so on)..and most notably, one of our best known mountain..Signal Mountain which got it's name from the Indian because they used it to do their signals on.

[Tracker Smurf]

Loved the photos and the information.

[Tintin]

Hi

Does anyone know were this little one has gone ???
Just had to think of him......................
Hope he is not lost in this world, or did he went back to the village with the 6 from the movie ???

Tintin

[stampysmurf]

I have been wondering about him also.....I thought I was next on the list to get him but he hasn't made his way to New Hampshire yet!

[André]

Where was his stop last time???

[Smurfysmurf]

I'll check on him today He went with me to the North but apparently decided to take a break and stay there a bit longer than first anticipated

Here is who he spent his time...no wonder he didn't want to leave..or couldn't he leave?

[André]

Great Maureen!!

Maybe he wanted to get the "snowy" christmasfeeling in the north??

[Tintin]

Hi

Well i am just glad he is not lost, hope to hear from him again one day

Tintin

[Smurfysmurf]

Actually, looks like he will have a sunny Christmas in Sydney...lucky smurf

Will see that we have his pictures of his adventure with Syd and Hurricane Irene posted soon

The good news is that he is ready to go on travelling again after this break

[André]

That sounds great Maureen!

Hope he enjoys the sun then!!

[Tojo]

I'm looking forward to seeing what he's been up to

It's been a while since the last update.

[southernyacht]

Will he be coming back to the UK???