Chattanooga and on to Gatlinburg

After sorting out Smithy, we reached Chattanooga and checked into a little BnB (thanks Amy and Ol!). We arrived in time to visit one of Clare's favourite restaurants - Red Lobster (thanks Ed!). For the uninitiated, it is as the name suggests a sea food restaurant and so we ate our body weight in lobster tails. Why not?!

Rich had never been there before but has now agreed that Clare is right - Red Lobster is great!

The next morning we went to visit Ruby Falls, one of the largest underground waterfalls in the world, over 1000ft under Look Out Mountain - it was discovered in the 1920s and fortunately they installed a lift to take us down!

There are lots of impressive stalactites and stalagmites and, although the whole experience is slightly over exploited and very busy the waterfall itself is spectacular.

Next stop was Rock City. Rich was relieved it wasn't like the crap music venue in Nottingham! 

It is actually a walled "garden" on top of a mountain from which (amongst other things) you can see 7 states.

Garden is a bit of a misnomer as some of the rocks are huge!

Bizarrely it also has an underground "gnome garden", lit entirely by ultra violet light!

Although not really Rich's cup of tea (he apparently has a low tackiness level). Clare was amazed. Thanks Howard and Sue M for entrance to both!

After lunch we drove on to our next stop - a cabin just outside Gattlinburg (Tennessee). Thanks Steve!

It is probably one of the most idyllic places we have ever been.

Our cabin is well kitted out so we will be BBQ-ing here rather than eating out for the next few nights - it's just so peaceful! 

Thanks for the champagne (well Californian sparkling wine) Howard and Sue J, MG and Nat and Westy! The numerous bottles we bought will keep us going for at least 2 nights... 

(If our Mum's are reading this don't worry  there was salad too!).

The jacuzzi on the front deck is fantastic!

This morning we walked to Rainbow Falls which was a steady 4 hour hike. Although it was quite a climb as at ground level it was a warm day but at the top there was snow on the ground!

We had a little picnic halfway up - Brie, crackers, beef jerky and twinkies...nom nom nom thanks Richie F.

A very well deserved glass of champagne and sit in the hot tub as our reward!