Montgomery Trip. Part 3

Montgomery Zoo

I am not sure what other kids do before they go to a state computer programming competition, but in our house we go do something fun, like the zoo.

Even though it was stinkin' hot, we opted to endure the heat and wander around the Montgomery Zoo. It had some new features, like the Zoofari Skylift Ride. While Jackson opted to be a fuddy-duddy, Callie and I started the zoo with a sweet ride.

 

We spotted Jackson' relaxing at a table under a tree when we made our way back around. And of course, we (I mean me) called out loudly to him. I believe he must not have heard me...

Once we were all back together we walked around looking at all sorts of animals. Here are some of the kid's favorites, and some of the candid pictures I love to take while they aren't looking!

White Tigers...

Large Rhinos...

 

 Baby Giraffes...

 Wild Beast Wondering the Paths...

 Stealing a Kiss, Hoping No One Saw,,,

We ended our zoo tour with a ride on the train. Unfortunately, so did a bunch of rowdy elementary students on a field trip. We soon found out their loud screaming would only be amplified in the tunnel. My kids handled it beautifully, even though they were glad when the train ride was over!

We went through the whole park in record time, but by noon Jackson was getting anxious about meeting his team for the competition. So, we went to lunch with his friend and then he went to Auburn University in Montgomery... to go be a computer genius.


Lesson about a Train Rid of Screaming Kids in a Tunnel:

What is Sound? "In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as a typically audible mechanical wave of pressure and displacement, through a medium such as air or water. "

Sound waves of screaming children on the train before reaching the tunnel was loud, but because we were outside the air absorbed some of that sound.

Why was it louder in the Tunnel? "When a sound wave in air reaches the surface of another material, some of the sound is reflected off the surface, while the rest of it goes into the material. For example, when sound hits a wall, some is reflected and some passes into the wall."

Sound waves of screaming children on the train in the tunnel was louder because the waves hit the tunnels walls and reflected back into our ears.

Why did it sound like a million kids? "Echoes are the sound of your own voice reflecting back to your ears. The sound you hear ringing in an auditorium after the band has stopped playing is caused by reflection off the walls and other objects. A sound wave will continue to bounce around a room, or reverberate, until it has lost all its energy. A wave has some of its energy absorbed by the objects it hits. The rest is lost as heat energy."

Sound waves of screaming children on the train in a tunnel was not only louder because they used their outside, screaming voices to bounce and reflect off the tunnel walls, but their sound waves were like a million loud echos reverberating in our ears even after we departed the ride.

Science in action!!

Montgomery Trip. Part 2

Montgomery here we come...

Or at least one of us was aware that we were going somewhere.

It seems that the two very, very exhausted children napped their way to Montgomery.

Once we arrived they were awake, hungry, and ready to be adventurous. And one very tired mother was going find the energy to try and keep up.

Our hotel was in downtown Montgomery and we decided to head out to the Riverfront Park before eating dinner. It was only steps away from the hotel.

Set on the banks of the Alabama River, the park offers some interesting historic sites, amphitheater, and more.

Of course the first thing that Callie wanted to see was the Harriot II riverboat. A part of American history, Harriot II was built during the 1800s. It still in operation and offers the opportunity to eat and enjoy the idea of what it would have been like traveling down the Alabama River.

History Lesson, see below

As you can see Jackson was thrilled to be part of the history lesson.

But it wasn't over. Riverfront offers some other neat glimpse into the history of the river. So off to the next thing!

There's a small hill near the riverboat that was not only fun to climb, but offered some insight into not only the fact that people actually lived here during the Colonial Period, but about the way cotton was transported during the late 1800s.

History Lesson, see below 

With all that adventuring around the Riverfront, the kids were starving. It was late and they were ready to eat. Montgomery has changed tremendously in the last few years and downtown was very nice to just stroll around in.

We headed to The Alley, a small section of restaurants and shops. We debated between places to eat, but didn't want to go somewhere we could eat at home (and one that wasn't overly crowded), so we tried Jalepeno's. It was pretty good.

Afterwards, we strolled back to the hotel to get some rest, because tomorrow was going to be a busy day too!

History Lessons. What the signs said:

Major Charles W Davis:

A native of Montgomery, Major Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor as Executive Officer, "For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on Guadalcanal Island. On 12 January 1943, he volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machine guns. With complete disregard for his own safety he made his way to the trapped units, delivered instructions, supervised their execution and remained overnight in this exposed position.

"Above and Beyond"

The following day, Davis volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position holding up the advance. His rifle jammed, he drew his pistol and led the assault. Electrified by this action, his soldiers followed and seized the hill. The capture broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to secure its objective." During a distinguished 32-year career, he served on the Army General Staff and graduated from the National War College. Among many important assignments, he commanded the 503d Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division. During the Vietnam War, he advised the South Vietnamese Army in combat. Retired as a Colonel in 1972, he died in 1991. He is buried in Arlington.

High Red Bluff

(Chunnanugga Chatty in Creek Indian Language):

Also called Hostile Bluff or Thirteen Mile Bluff, this spot located in a deep bend of the Alabama River was once the key to the Southeast and a strategic point in Colonial days. The first steamboat, the Harriet, arrived at this point in 1821, and the first railroad came in 1880, making Montgomery a transportation hub for people and commerce. When cotton was king, millions of bales were shipped from the wharf here by steam boat to Mobile and thence to the mills of England. The tunnel under the railroad tracks was built in 1879 so that horse-drawn wagons of cotton could be brought to the wharf without crossing the tracks.

Montgomery Trip. Part 1

Before we go...

What's should we do before heading out of town? Play at the local park.

From hiking to paddling, from biking/walking green-ways to equestrian trails, there is so much to do at Hays Nature Preserve. They have outdoor yoga, educational programs, and a wonderful natural kid's playground.

After playing in the hot Alabama sun, Callie and I felt we should cool off and rest. What should we do?

Splurged on a pedicure!

Now to pick up Jackson and head to Montgomery for his ACTE programming competition. Let the Montgomery Trip begin...

Shirley Temple Curls

It's time to take pictures for the upcoming dance recital. Unfortunately and genetically, we have very straight hair. It takes hours of sitting in tight curlers, ample hair product, and the hopes of no rain or humidity for our hair to hold a curl.

With pictures at 5:30 pm... we had to have the foam curlers in the hair at 11 am. It is obvious by her expression that she enjoyed the process...

We took the curlers out right before it was time to leave and put enough hair spray on to make any hair stay in place. 

The pictures were at a old mill which is now used for local artists. It is an amazing space and perfect for taking unique pictures. I happen to get a few pictures of her and her friends. 

I did not mention that the location is not air conditioned and we were there for hours. While she stayed perfectly in place... I happen to swelter and have some serious hot flashes. It was attractive!

Here are a few of the "real" pictures taken from the day:

Chattanooga Choo Choo

All aboard...

Travel back to the 1880s (in your mind) and think about how exciting it must have been to be at Chattanooga Union Station. The Cincinnati Southern Railroad had a small wood burning steam locomotive that journeyed from Chattanooga, TN to Cincinnati, Ohio. 

The wood-burning "Choo Choo" was the first to provide non-stop service. How cool is that?!?

Today, you can see a train engine displayed at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. It is the same kind of wood-burner used on that first run from Cincinnati to Chattanooga in the 1880s. Amazingly almost all trains traveling South passed right through my hometown, Chattanooga.

Cool Fact: The one on display was built by Baldwin and last used in service on the Smoky Mountain Railroad in the 1940's. It is completely refurbished & only engine of its kind now in the city!

 

Of course I cannot visit here without singing in my head... "Pardon me, boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo?"

Thanks Glenn Miller Orchestra... now I will be singing it all day! In 1941 the song was performed by Glenn Miller Orchestra and Tex Beneke and the Modernaires in the movie "Sun Valley Serenade". Watch it here. The Chattanooga Choo Choo song traveled fast during World War II and has a catchy ring to it.

 

As most of us know there was a decline in railroad passenger traffic in the 1950s & 1960s. And unlike many stations built before the Civil War, Chattanooga's Union Station was saved from demolition by local businessmen and renamed Chattanooga Terminal Station. Inspired by the theme of the "Chattanooga Choo Choo" they revitalized it and it opened on April 11, 1973.  

You may think it is only about visiting the train while here, but make sure to go inside the actual station. It will give you a glimpse at some of the elegance that purchasing a ticket, having a drink or meal, and riding the train must have been like. 

Personal Fact: My mother departed on a train here for her high school trip to Washington, DC. She boarded the train with a packed sandwich to eat along the way. That is pretty cool!

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, Chattanooga Choo Choo Historic Hotel is considered one of the city's first historic preservation projects. So, make sure to look around the station and read some of the historical plaques about military and local history...