America on a Runner's High IV: Day 8

Here is an excerpt from Day 8:

You know that you are around kudzu when you can't distinguish tree from bush from ground from…anything. My first time seeing the overrunning vine for me was when I stopped in Greenville, South Carolina – it looked like South America, to me. I was re-acquainted with kudzu on my Monday morning run in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

It would seem that Chattanooga, Tenn., almost has it all. There are mountains, lakes, the Tennessee River, great barbeque, lots of history…and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. There are also a lot of shops and museums but most importantly, it is a great area to get out and put in some miles.

Taking the day off after a long run Saturday evening in Lexington, I planned my Monday morning run to be easy and relaxing. Easy and relaxing is what I got, as I explored along the Tennessee River.

The Tennessee Aquarium was just down the street from where I ended up staying; it lay at the edge of Ross's Landing Park and Plaza. It is very easy to spot with its pointed glass pane roof.

Ross's Landing is also where the Tennessee Riverwalk (a great paved pathway) starts. It runs along the river down to the dam at Chickamauga Lake, and connects to the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the river to the north shore. This was primarily my route plan – with a few off-shoots, of course.