This afternoon we explored Ruby Falls, which is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States! To visit Ruby Falls you descend 260 feet underground from the entrance by glass-front elevator. This puts you 1120 feet below the surface of the mountain! From there you begin a guided walk along a paved half-mile cavern trail for a close-up view of the beautiful, thundering falls. Doreen has been deathly afraid of caves or confined spaces of any sort, and today she powered through and completed the visit to Ruby Falls. On top of that, it was her idea to go! I am so proud of her. So, more about our adventures:
The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center illustrates the history of our nation’s highest military honor for valor, where it was first awarded, right here in Chattanooga. Stories of some of our Nation's bravest heroes in the various wars and conflicts are displayed in life-like reality from the when the first Medals were awarded in 1863 to present day. Throughout the displays the values demonstrated by Medal of Honor recipients are highlighted - patriotism, courage, citizenship, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment.
We entered the center and were greeted by a very knowledgeable volunteer who explained much of the history of the award.
Gen George Washington's Badge of Military Merit was revived during World War I as the Purple Heart
Certificate of Merit, the predecessor of the Medal of Honor
The original Army and Navy Medals of Honor
Hand-drawn replica of the Declaration of Independence, by Benjamin Owen Tyler
Jacob Wilson Parrott, the first recipient of the Army Medal of Honor, as a result of an operation to penetrate 200 miles into enemy territory and steal a train.
A display highlighting Dr Mary Edwards Walker and the Chattanooga Civil War hospitals. Wounded soldiers were treated here as others advanced to Atlanta.
This is a real horse in this display
1918 - Alvin Cullom York
Joseph Bernard Adkison
A paratrooper during World War II
Air Force Medal of Honor
Army Medal of Honor
Navy Medal of Honor
Kyle Carpenter - Afghanistan
We departed there and headed south to the Chattanooga Choo Choo historic district. It centers around the old Terminal Station building and includes restaurants, bars, hotels, a convention center and other entertainment venues.
Of course you can't talk about the "Chattanooga Choo Choo" without hearing the melody of the song made famous by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra in 1941 called Chattanooga Choo Choo!
We parked and made our way through the maze of train cars and shops behind the Terminal Station. Many venues appeared to be closed or being remodeled. Some of the train cars were fenced off and in rough condition. 
There is a distillery across the street we were going to visit but we were running short on time so we made our way back to the truck and headed back to the campground.
After a quick lunch and a short potty walk with Liberty we had to head out to meet our 1340 hrs reservation time at Ruby Falls
We parked and made our way to the entrance building that also has a gift shop and a café you can enjoy while waiting for your time, gift shop.
Various shops and restaurants
It is obvious this would be a hopping area on Friday and Saturday nights, especially with the convention center and nearby hotel.
The front of Terminal Station. This building dates back to 1907
Inside Terminal Station - beautiful
There is a distillery across the street we were going to visit but we were running short on time so we made our way back to the truck and headed back to the campground.
After a quick lunch and a short potty walk with Liberty we had to head out to meet our 1340 hrs reservation time at Ruby Falls
We parked and made our way to the entrance building that also has a gift shop and a café you can enjoy while waiting for your time, gift shop.
Usually places will let you sneak in a bit early, but not here! 1340 hrs is 1340 hrs! So we loitered a bit in the gift shop and then got in line to descend in the elevator.
Doreen, without hesitation, headed into the elevator!
In the hallway there is a mural that illustrates the cavern system from the elevator to Ruby Falls!
So our time came and down we went, very rapidly! Our ears popped a but on the way down. At the bottom the doors opened and there was a well-lighted pathway. Our guide took us in a ways then then told us to stay put while she got the next group. I believe there was 24 in the group total but only about half could ride the elevator at a time. So finally everyone was there and after a safety briefing we proceeded through the maze.
So in the cavern the temperature is a constant 60 degrees F which feels really good compared to what was on surface, but the humidity is 100%, so very "clammy".
Our guide, Molly led us to the first rally point where there were two large screen TV's. A short video played that gave us some history on Ruby Falls. As a child Leo Lambert used to explore the Lookout Mountain cave, but in 1905, the natural cave entrance was closed when the Southern Railroad Company built a tunnel through Lookout Mountain. For years Leo dreamed of returning to the cave and in 1928 he found investors and started drilling an elevator shaft down to the main passage. They were able to drill and excavate about five foot per day until at the 260' level they hit a void that would eventually lead to Ruby Falls.
Once the void was exposed, Leo and his partner descended the shaft and then set out to explore the void. The passageway was small and narrow, about 1-1/2 ft tall and five ft wide but they crawled along for three hours until they reach a point where they could stand. After ten hours, they found Ruby Falls, named after Leo's wife Ruby Lambert. Eventually the passageway was enlarged to allow tourists to walk along and it was lighted. Now it is a huge tourist attraction
After the video we followed our leader and passed many stalactites and stalagmites, now beautifully illuminated with solar-powered color LED lighting. 
Periodically we had to all move to one side of the passageway as the previous group was exiting, and they took priority! Along the way we saw pools of water with lucky coins tossed in. I wonder how old the coins on the bottom are?
In less than an hour we had navigated the cavern and arrived at Ruby Falls. This is a 145 ft waterfall and it is magnificent! Our guide said the water flow varies depending on the rainfall and can slow to a trickle during dry times. I did some research online, and they can apparently supplement the flow with a pump system when needed! Can't disappoint the tourists, you know!
The colored light show really adds to the effect!
About 1-1/2 hours later we emerged from the elevator ascent and finished up in the gift shop before departing. Again, I am very proud of my bride for doing this! Claustrophobia does not affect me at all but I recognize and sympathize with those who it does. Today was a REALLY BIG DEAL!
Tomorrow our friend Brad Herren will be "flying solo" when he comes up to visit as his wife is ill. So he will just drive up and not bring his camper. It will be great to see him!
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