See Rock City!

In my last post I mentioned that on our 1975 road trip, we had seen many roadside signs for Ruby Falls. Their main competitor for many years was Rock City, which is also on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga. We learned that the promoter of Rock City commissioned the painting of "See Rock City" on over 900 barn roofs in nineteen states between 1935 and 1969. I wonder how many are left. 

On our way over to see Ruby Falls yesterday, we saw some billboards for both attractions, and bought tickets for both as a package deal. 

In 1855 a Mr. Myers described Rock City as follows:
Just imagine rocks fifty feet in height, piled against each other, forming as it were underground passageways; I felt as though I was wandering among the ruins of some giant's castle.  Not that the rocks at all assume any regular forms, but there are long passages between them, sometimes covered, narrow, and then suddenly widening into large halls.

Rock City is a garden developed among the many very large rock formations. Although there was a bit of autumn color, I imagine the place would be spectacular in spring when all the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. But that is true of most of the South!

Paths and bridges wound in and out around the rocks.

This part of the path  went down and between the rock walls. A very fat person might not fit.  I felt good 'cause I did.

Around every turn and up every stair was a new view. Given a good imagination you could feel you were in another time or exploring the riuns of another civilization.

There is more than one observation point/platform.

One of the most notable features of Rock City is a large rock outcropping called Lovers' Leap.

It is said that on a clear day you can see seven states from up there. 















The view of the city below and the distant mountains was pretty good.

This is the platform that the man in red was standing on, in the picture above.

When we were on it there was a young man who was not very happy with the fact that it was suspended over the rocks far below! I felt quite safe.

Up on the top of Lovers' Leap is a small bridge that is near the head of a water fall. We talked with another tourist about where the water was coming from. We all wondered if it was it man made or natural.

Later I asked someone who works there and was told that although it is almost at the top of the mountain, the water flow is natural.

We could see the water splashing into the pool below by leaning over the stone wall of the bridge we were on.




This is a more distant view as we made our way on through the garden. The preceding two shots were taken from the bridge where the two people in blue are standing.

    

All in all we enjoyed our time there, with the exception of one feature that Craig and I differ on. That being the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. I thought it was past its time in concept and Craig thought it was fun. The many fairytale figures done up in dayglow paint under black lights in a dark cave space, were about as enchanting as Chuckie or an evil clown. I'm sure it was amazing at one time, but no longer.

Have you encountered any "has been" attactions in your travels?