After six days in Nashville, Tennessee, we moved south-eastward toward Chattanooga, once again with no specific plan. This is our favorite method of travel and it almost always brings an adventure or two along the way. This day did not disappoint.

Traveling along the beautiful Tennessee River, about 15 minutes outside of downtown Chattanooga, we came upon Raccoon Mountain. When I first saw it, I thought it was just one more dam. Afterall, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) logo was on the upper left corner of the sign and the TVA flag hung on the pole below the American flag. It was a logo we had seen at many dams on this trip. This site had two reservoirs. When there are times of little demand for power, water is pumped to a 107,000,000 gallon reservoir at the top of the overlooking mountain, a 28-hour process. When more power is needed, the stored water is released through a tunnel that was drilled through the mountain’s center. The force of the falling water powers generators in an underground power plant.

A series of three 32-foot deflector cells have been installed directly opposite the intake/discharge tunnel to slow the water where it enters the Tennessee River from the upper reservoir. This eliminates a potential hazard to boaters. Sixteen more cells were installed closer to the main river channel. A curtain wall was put up to prevent boats from entering the area. This wall gives sports fishermen access to some of the best fishing on the lower reservoir and on the day we stopped, several fishermen were taking advantage of the special accommodations. Boat traffic was steady at the same time.

As we continued on our way, we found Incline Railway about 20 minutes from Raccoon Mountain. Booked as “the world’s steepest incline railway,” the cars climb a 72.7% grade. Two cars travel in two directions on the same track with a “switch” allowing the cars to pass alongside each other at the halfway point on the one-mile stretch. There is an observation tower at the top. I dislike heights, but within 5-6 weeks I had ascended Cannon Mountain in a cable car and Mount Washington on the Cog Railway in New Hampshire and now traveled up Lookout Mountain.

The 72.7 % grade up Lookout Mountain makes Incline Railway the world's steepest.

As we ventured forth the next day, we began to see many older school buses that had been repurposed into transportation vehicles for rafters. Some of the buses remained the familiar school bus yellow color, while others had undergone a color change, but they all carried piles of rafts on the roof.

We stopped at Ocoee Dam No. 2, after seeing raft after raft float by in the stream on the right side of the road on which we were traveling. Soon after, the peace was interrupted by the arrival of five or six buses. As the staff representing the various rafting companies took a raft off of a bus, small groups of people wearing helmets and life vests, carried it to an area where they were given instruction. Then, one by one the rafts were carried down the wide cement ramp to Ocoee River. This stretch of the river is one of the most popular whitewater floats in the world.

After watching a few rafts launch, we drove north-east toward Murphy, North Carolina. I had read about Fields of the Wood before we left home, therefore we decided we would check it out. It is owned by the Church of God of Prophecy, located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, and is home to the world’s largest Ten Commandments. Although there is no admission fee, the church is trying to raise funds to bring back this serene 200-acre Bible-themed park to the condition it was once in.

The Ten Commandments are visible on the right, shortly after passing through the big, white gateway. Four-by-five foot white Roman numerals and letters are laid out on a gradual incline on the mountainside. A very long cement staircase divides the first five Commandments from the other half. The 30-foot Bible, standing upright at the top of the stairway appears to be open to the Book of Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 37-40, which is where the first two Commandments are found. We explored the upper area after taking the road to the top of the mountain where we found the All Nations Cross. Eighty-six flags fly on tall poles placed in a cross pattern. These flags represent the countries where the church has ministries.

The parking lot is located in a valley between two mountains. In this lower area is a baptismal pool, which was used by a local church on the day of our visit. Not far from the pool is a replica of the tomb where Jesus was laid after he was removed from the cross and from where he arose three days later. The three crosses representing those on which Jesus and two thieves were crucified stand nearby.

Three 32-foot deflector cells in Nickajack Reservoir slow water entering the Tennessee River from the Raccoon Mountain reservoir high above. The curtain wall prevents boats from entering the reservoir. Photos by Beverly Kehe-Rowland

Most of the features are accessible by paved walkways and paved or dirt roads. Because of the setting, walking may involve many steps, such as Prayer Mountain. Prayer Mountain is on the opposite side of the lower area from the Ten Commandments. Cement steps lead up the incline with 29 monuments lining the way to the top.

Lunch is available at a small café, but visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in one of the many picnic areas. There is also a small gift shop on the premises.

After spending a night in Murphy, NC, my husband decided we should drive into South Carolina for a while and I don’t even remember why. Supporting mom and pop restaurants is our preference and we often find we like the food better than many chain restaurants. We chose to stop at Beef and Rib Family Restaurant in Westminster. I’m guessing “family” in the name drew us in. The owner told us they https://www.post-journal.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#had only raised their prices twice in 32 years. (I expect by now it has been three times.) The special board listed dinners with prices ranging between $5.65 and $6.50. Menu items were just as reasonably priced with apple and sweet potato pie for $1.95 and baklava at the same price. Lasagna dinners were only $6.25. When my husband asked about hotels, the owner took it upon himself to call to get availability and pricing while we were eating. We ended up staying at the one he recommended.

During a stop at a rest area in North Carolina, we noticed a display case that held many brass plaques. The names of 111 North Carolina Department of Transportation workers who were killed in the line of duty and the date they lost their life was engraved on each plaque.

After a few days with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson, who live near Charlotte, we headed north. Although we have passed by many times, we never stopped at Tamarack Marketplace near Beckley, West Virginia on I-77/I-64. That is until this time. Even though we got a late start and planned to drive straight through, we decided to stop at this artisan center and were glad we did. Each artist had something unique to offer from steam punk sculptures to coal carvings to handcrafted musical instruments.

To those who followed along on our journey of little known or impulse stops, I hope you will get off the red line highways soon and give the kids something to remember besides 12 vacations to the Outer Banks.