Chattanooga Vacation

I sometimes wonder if there is such a thing as Birthday Bad Luck. Something tragic, costly or devastating has struck on most of my adult birthdays. I'm otherwise happy-go-lucky in life... but, if I'm ever going to be hit by lightning, rest assured, it will probably occur on my birthday. I could write a very interesting book recounting only birthdays, and I may if this keeps up.

My husband knew of many of my unique birthday stories before we were married, and he has gone out of his way every year to give me a fun-filled birthday. He took me to NASA one year, organized a fancy dinner party one year, and took me to the symphony a couple years ago. Still, his love could not stop the Nashville flood on my birthday last year, and even today was one of three years that we've had a car repair in the $500 range on my birthday.

I've thought about changing the date, but that won't work. I went into hiding last year - well, I was stranded by flood waters. This year I thought leaving town would help, or at least spare my neighbors if this was to be my lightning strike.

Off we went to Chattanooga for the weekend. Thanks to Thomas the Train my 3-year-old loves trains.

She and my husband both got to experience their first train ride.

 

We stayed at the historic Sheraton Read House downtown, and took the free electric shuttles around town.

Then, forgot about the time change, missed the last shuttle, and had to walk a mile or so from Northshore back to downtown. (Rachel has her fingers in her ears because the traffic on the bridge was so loud.)

Our reward was waiting. A horse and carriage ride. We all loved that. It was so relaxing.

The next day we spent the morning admiring some of God's amazing designs at the Tennessee Aquarium.

There is also an excellent butterfly garden on the top of the Ocean Journey building. I didn't really get any good pictures because there were so many butterflies zooming past. The butterflies were very active and playful.

Speaking of funny curly fries...

We had a wonderful time in Chattanooga. It's a cool town for a weekend away.

No matter if the Birthday Bad Luck was waiting for me when we got home today, we'll call that fodder for my next novel Oh No, It's Her Birthday!