Destination: Chattanooga

A few weeks ago I went with a friend to Chattanooga.

It was an incredible experience. I had no expectations for the city. I really had never given Chattanooga any thought. So I was very pleasantly overwhelmed with all the amazingness of it all. It is gorgeous! With mountains all around us, it made the Californian in me very happy.

We arrived Friday night and went to Chuy's for dinner. I learned that part of the interview process to work there is that you have to draw your favorite cartoon character. Since I'm all about Disney I bet if I interviewed my character would have been Mickey Mouse. 

The next morning we visited Growing in Grace Ministries for a Sozo conference, and then continued the fun by having lunch at Chicken Salad Chick, which was amazing and made me wish that someone would bring the franchise to Memphis. Here's the menu, but beware! Looking at it may make you hungry!

After lunch we changed and drove up Raccoon Mountain. Unfortunately it wasn't ideal walking weather and so we were in the car for most of the trip with the exception of when we arrived at Lookout Mountain and darted out to take pictures of the amazing view.

Walking across the bridge to downtown Chattanooga. I love the wood! It really reminded me of walking down the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

I mean, look at that view!

We ate at Taco Mamacita and I realized how much I love plantains.

Loved this beautiful sight at The Passage, which represents the beginning of The Trail of Tears. It was gorgeous at night. My only regret is that we didn't get to see it in the daylight.

We ate at Beast + Barrel and it was amazing! Then we stopped for gelato and coffee at Milk and Honey before we hit the road. Pretty sure this is my new favorite place in all of the world. Coffee! And gelato! All in one happy little shop. I had the best gelato ever—olive oil and sea salt. So good! I also got a cold coconut latte. It was amazing.

And lastly, one final look at the beautiful mountains! I was sad to go, but so appreciative of all I got to see and experience. I recommend visiting for anyone! If you haven't been, definitely make it a priority to visit and experience it.