The Traveling Twosome: The Traveling 3some - Day 26 - From Atlanta to Nashville, Tennessee

November 1 - Drove 260 miles today - 35.5mpg

Up early for a free, ear drum popping buffet breakfast. On the road at 10am after stopping at Petsmart for dog food and treats for the furry one.

Another day of record- breaking heat ☀️ waves along our path. T-shirt and shorts - we couldn't be happier! For posterity it should be noted that we are the beneficiaries of a record breaking average October heat affecting much of the U.S. east of the Rockies. Wherever the Trumps have gone it seems that "hottest day records" have fallen in the southeast particularly, Tallahassee, Nashville, Atlanta, etc. The Weather Channel talking heads say this pattern will continue into November. Coupled with generally light traffic and relatively few tourists, we are livin' large.

First on our agenda today - one more Civil War site in our Rediscover America road trip. This time it's the Battles of Chattanooga, in which Union forces ultimately prevailed after the obligatory heavy casualties on both sides.

Lots going on in this assemblage of signs on a back road. The road has a rather impressive, aspirational name. Up go property values!

"Lookout Mountain" was one of the key battles in the Battles of Chattanooga on 11/23/1863. Thanks to this marker we learned that 91 years before, in the very waning days of the Revolutionary War, Chickamauga Indians, supported by the British, were defeated by Continental Army forces.

"Chickamauga" was one of the battles, the first one and a Confederate victory - but not decisive.

This entrance looks like something out of medieval Europe, or Disney World.

A mixed media tourist trap in the shadow of the park.

A small "official" National Park visitor center - but as usual very nicely appointed.

This enormous painting depicting the Battle of Lookout Mountain in which the Union prevailed. It was also known as the Battle Above the Clouds because as the picture shows, clouds half way up the mountain hampered the opposing forces viewing each other.

What the Confederate defenders looked out upon (minus a few thousand of the enemy).

The Civil War aficionados who are deeper into it than most probably have the details of this plaque memorized. We fully acknowledge that we are but day trippers in Civil War lore. But it's been fun and interesting to try to tie things together.

The impressive monument at the site - Norm was relieved that one can't climb to the top. The monument was erected by the state of New York in honor of all.

Norm, glad he's a few years too late for this bloodbath. But with the success of this battle and the succeeding Battle of Missionary Ridge, Chatanooga's capture was like an "open sesame" to the rest of the Deep South. It was through this door that General Sherman moved on Atlanta.

Is Pam trying to stuff Cricket into the cannon?

Back road leading down from Lookout Mountain. The leaves are starting to change color.

On the way down, rounding a bend, a young woman waved us into the entrance of this place. Ruby Falls turns out to be a popular underground cave tourist site.

Our next stop is just a few miles away - The Hunter Museum of America

A number of quirky sculptures on the Museum grounds. Pam is posing under the dancing couple. Only later did Pam notice a sign saying "keep off the sculptures". Too late! The sculpture depicts a couple of hep cats energetically carrying out a Swing dance move.

This horse looks like it is made of wood until you feel it - it's made of steel to look like wood.

This is a glass bridge that leads to the museum - and there is no charge as opposed to the glass bottomed observation platform extending out over the Grand Canyon.

The Hunter Museum is like our Crocker Museum in that the older building houses the traditional portion of the collection and an award winning modern addition grafted on to it primarily contains modern contemporary art.

A sign by this sculpture also admonished passersby to not climb on it. Pam didn't, despite being sorely tempted. This modern addition to the museum was added in 2005, designed by Randall Stout.

The entrance to the original 1904 classical revival mansion designed by Abram Garfield, the son of President James Garfield.

Norm is lost in the entrance hall of the old building.

Some of the traditional paintings in the old building.

"Orange Lamp and Oranges" (Janet Fish - 1982) oil on campus.

Some of the contemporary art in the new building.

"Listings and Sailings" (Robert Stackhouse - 1982) watercolor and charcoal on paper.

"Six Rooms/Six Days" (Therman Statom - 1999) - mixed media and glass - this piece reminded Pam of something that would fit right in a mixed media show at Blue Line Gallery.