01 May 65 : Finding paradise and Lookout Mountain : Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

This continues the letter dated 29th April 1965 which began: 

Dear family,

Saturday 1st May

We left Bristol and headed south once more. Scorching hot day, and by noon temperature was 83 degrees – which the locals disregarded. “Wait till it gets hot,” they said!!

We drove down through Tennessee and passed through some unbelievably beautiful countryside. They have dammed the Tennessee River, and formed huge lakes which we passed all the way. We saw some houses in positions which must rate only second to paradise.

 

 

We arrived in Chattanooga at 4pm, and thankfully fell into the motel pool, and then sunbathed. The temperature forecast for tomorrow is 86 degrees, and Alabama will be even hotter. Strangely enough I am not feeling the heat too much, but Colin is – which is odd because I usually flake out long before he does. I hope I can keep it up.

 

 

We waited until it cooled down and then went up to the top of Lookout Mountain. A very high mountain, from which you can see seven states at the same time. It was a terrific view and we could see the Tennessee River winding through the hills far below.

The city of Chattanooga looked very small down below. It’s quite a nice place really although, strangely enough, a bit industrial in places.

Tomorrow we complete the last leg of the trip, by which time we will have completed nearly 1,100 miles since we left Philadelphia. Actually in just over a week we have gone from the Canadian border to almost the south coast, which is quite a move.

 

 

 

By the way I forgot to tell you something very unique about Bristol. In actual fact it is two Bristols in one. The state line dividing Virginia and Tennessee runs right down the middle of the main street.

So it comprises of Bristol, Virginia, and Bristol, Tennessee, and each half has its own Mayor, and its own local government, and each half pays its taxes to its respective State. So now we can say we have been to four Bristols – the other two being Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Well, I must end now as I want to post this before we leave for Alabama.

Thanks for the remainder of the photographs of Kipp – they are very good.

Look after yourselves.

All my love

Tone xxxx

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