Monday, October 12, 2015

Ruby falls, Rock hills, Incline train Tennessee

Once we are done with Atlanta trip we had plan to visit Ruby falls next day morning. So we already booked our hotels in Tennessee, else we had to drive 2hrs from Atlanta which will be hectic for us. So we checked in somewhere around 8:30pm and next day morning headed to Ruby falls.
Ruby Falls:
is a 145-foot high underground waterfall located within Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tennessee in the United States. The cave which houses Ruby Falls was formed with the formation of Lookout Mountain. About 200 to 240 million years ago.  The limestone in which the cave is formed is still relatively horizontal, just as it was deposited when it was below sea level.
The Falls are located at the end of the main passage of Ruby Falls Cave, in a large vertical shaft. The stream, 1120 feet underground, is fed both by rainwater and natural springs. It collects in a pool in the cave floor and then continues through the mountain until finally joining the Tennessee River at the base of Lookout Mountain. It take 2-3hrs to visit the falls inside. We have to walk long and watch out our head if we are tall. The next destination was Rocky hills

Rock City:
Rock City will amaze you...it's in our nature! Located atop Lookout Mountain, just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking "See 7 States" panoramic views. Take an unforgettable journey along the Enchanted Trail where each step reveals natural beauty and wonders along the woodland path. Experience the magic of Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, visit one of our regional gift shops and dine at the Big Rock Grill. Rock City is splendid year-round - "Each season there's a new reason to visit!"
Rock City claims that it is possible to see seven states from Lover's Leap, a point in Rock City, but this has not been proven.
Rock City features a long, convoluted rock trail lined with gardens containing hundreds of labelled local trees and plants. The trail also leads through a variety of unique and bizarre rock formations, including the 1,000 short tons (910 t) Balanced Rock and Fat Man's Squeeze. Two other sections, the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, are rock caves decorated with blacklight-responsive sculptures.

Incline train:
The Incline Railway opened on November 16, 1895, and was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway, which operated from 1886 to 1898. The railway is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency.
I personally didn't like it because its just an experience and they make you to wait long to come back once they drop you down. The two trains operate on each track for every 15 mins and whenever one train comes up other go down. They have huge iron cable rope tie each end of trains. They ask you to get down once you reach down and you have to wait in hot sun till the other train comes. For us it took almost 1:45hrs to get back to top by another train.

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