See Rock City

If you've ever driven through the South, chances are you've seen a barn or billboard that advertises See Rock City.  Taking the recommendation of my older brother who enjoyed visiting there, we decided to do just that while we were in Chattanooga:  we saw Rock City.

According to common belief, at the top of the mountain you can see seven different states from one spot:  Tennessee, Kentucky, Viginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.  I'm a bit of a skeptic that my aging eyes could actually see all those states.  Take a gander for yourself:

And here's my family standing infront of "Lover's Leap."  Any high-elevation attraction has its own "Lover's Leap," complete with a legend about an Indian princess who jumped to her death from it, and Rock City is no exception.  My favorite "Lover's Leap," however, is the one at Hawk's Nest in West Virginia.

 Rock City is a hoot for those who are afraid of heights:

The coolest part for me was the swing bridge.  Yes.  It really swings.  Especially when your boys jump up and down and say, "Look, Mom!  We're making the bridge shake!"  My apologies to those who had to share the bridge that day with the Barnette family...

 Below, my honey and our kiddos are standing under a 1,000 ton rock (notice that I said 1,000 ton:  not 1,000 pound) that is being supported only by...

 ...a teeny little wedge that is about 18 inches long.  Creepy.

But if your fear of heights doesn't get you at Rock City, your claustrophobia will.  At times on the walk, you come to these unbelievably tight spaces between the rock that you have to shimmy through.  The boys' favorite was named "Fat Man's Squeeze."  One needs not be a "fat man," however, to have to squeeze.  Even a skinny man like Tim had to turn sideways and take a deep breath at times to make it through.  I was much in prayer during my squeeze through those cracks, "Lord, please no earthquake right now..."

Below are shots of the entrance to "Fat Man's Squeeze from other angles.  Daunting stuff!

But a little less jarring to one's phobias was Anna's favorite part of Rock City known as Fairyland Caverns.  In this section, scenes from just about every nursery rhyme you've ever heard have been set-up in little rooms and colored with fluorescent paint.  Just perfect for a six-year-old girl.

Thanks for the recommendation, Doak!  Fun was had by all...