O Tennessee: Fair Tennessee
Our love for thee can never die
Dear homeland, Tennessee
This pass Thanksgiving I ventured into Chattanooga, TN (The Scenic City) for a different approach to a holiday getaway. Perfectly situated on the Chattanooga River lies Chattanooga, TN; the 4th largest city in the state of Tennessee. Chattanooga upon arrival presented reason for national recognition with its beautiful downtown renaissance and re-developmental sprawling riverfront view. The best and most intriguing part of Chattanooga had to be the tour of Ruby Falls. Positioned deep within the core of Lookout Mountain resides a wonder for the ages. A spectacle of pure geological splendor at its best describes the marvel discovered by Leo Lambert some eighty three years ago.
Leo Lambert, a local cave enthusiast wanted to preserve and reopen Lookout Mountain to the public. In 1905 the Southern Railroad Company was forced to construct a tunnel across the face of Lookout Mountain as well as other portions of the mountain. These tunnels sealed off the original entrance to Lookout Mountain cave. Lookout Mountain at this point was completely shut off from the public. He (Leo Lambert) drilled an elevator shaft some 250ft. down, which still stands today to access the cave from the surface above. Work on Lookout Mountain began in the fall of 1928. On 12/28/1928 an elevator shaft worker operating a jackhammer discovered a void in the rock and felt a rush of air. Upon further inspection by Lambert an opening was revealed measuring 18 inches high and 5 feet wide. Lambert and crew plunged deeper into the mountain until they reached its unknown jewel, a waterfall hidden deep within the depths of Lookout Mountain. The job of crawling on his stomach hauling rocks took Lambert and his crew more than 17 hours a day. Lambert, after finishing a clear path to the waterfall later returned with his wife and as a gift to her so named the waterfall, Ruby Falls.
Multiple tours are launched underground Lookout Mountain every 15-20 minutes along paved pathways uneven in some areas with a couple of gradual slopes, stairs with hand rails, and some lights prepare you to be astonished by a natural sensation. The tour I was apart of lasted approximately 1.5 hrs extending 4/5 of a mile. Comfortable walking shoes were a plus on my venture. The temperature in the cave was around 60 degrees yet with added humidity it felt more like 70 degrees. Along the tour my guide directed our group to feast our eyes on the multiple geological wonders located throughout the cave in the way of rock formations (Stalactites, Stalagmites, Columns, Elephant Foot, Donkey, Bacon, and Texas Chip). I was astonished to learn that rock formations were due to water that had fallen upon rock and congealed to form the shapes that mimic their distinct name. From my primary education I was aware of stalactites and stalagmites but I was never quite sure which was which. By the end of my tour stalactites and stalagmites were thoroughly explained and placed within the abyss of my memory for later use, along with what a column was. Bewilderment showed on my face when I learned columns are the joined points of stalactites and stalagmites. These columns can be colossal in size depending on the depths of were the stalactites and stalagmites had to grow in order to met.
At the end of the paved tour, groups take a slight pause at the entrance way to Ruby Falls in order to be instructed by the guide on how to behave in the waterfall area. The entrance way into the waterfall brings you down more than 1100 feet. With the playing of classical music in the air and a brash cymbal crescendo eruption, groups are admitted into the hull of the waterfall chamber. To this day the marvel that is Ruby Falls is as equally breathtaking as it was some eighty plus years ago. At the site of the 145 ft waterfall, I was immediately awestruck. With soft lighting set to a timer illuminating the waterfall, I along with others of my group had the opportunity to walk around the waterfall. This opportunity granted me the prospect to walk underneath the massive phenomenon, Ruby Falls, in action. It was at this moment as I and others paraded around Ruby Falls, being careful to watch our steps due to the slipperiness of the area that I snapped pictures and videos of the spectacle from underneath. After walking the surrounding area of Ruby Falls, people along with myself gathered around to snap personal pictures using the waterfall as a majestic backdrop.
My tour of Ruby Falls will forever live in my memories as a dream come true. The wonders of God’s green earth are exquisite to say the least. With many more wonders yet to be discovered it’s about time we as humans take a moment and smell the flowers par se and invite in the natural magic that resides around us. Ruby Falls is one of those wonders, a gift that all able to visit should definitely put on their one day to do list.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our trip to Chattanooga, TN!
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