In favor of going east

Ever since I was a little gi—ever since I was 26 and learned how Appalachians pronounce Appalachia (app-uh-latch-uh), I’ve wanted to make my way up to that city sittin’ pretty on the Tennessee River. Chattanooga. No, I have not been to Nashville, nor Memphis. Yes, I still have to check that I’m spelling Tennessee correctly. I’m just a girl!!!

How did it all begin, you may very well be wondering. Nay, on the edge of your seat to discover. While doing some work for an agency, I came upon their account with the Chattanooga Tourist Co. and lord almighty, have you seen a more thoughtful city tourism website? https://www.visitchattanooga.com/ Every section feels like you’re visiting your grandma, and her neighbor has just stopped by to return a borrowed item, and they find out you’re from out of town and they start recommending you things to do in the least annoying way imaginable. You’re ending that conversation thinking why can’t young people have elderly friends?

I opened Airbnb, created a wishlist, and just started eviscerating future me’s budget with multi-week stays at downtown lofts and A-Line wilderness retreats. I was ogling places in Southside and dreaming of coffee on the North Shore. It was a fun rabbit hole. As the mania subsided, I got “serious” and said, ok. What is there actually to do, though? SO glad you asked. I’ll leave this: https://choosechatt.com here for you. Ya, that’s right, I’ve linked you to another city website called “Choose Chatt” filled with reasons to move to, retire in, and visit Chattanooga. They are dead set on convincing you of themselves it almost makes you think twice…? But when I stumbled upon the “For the Love of Books” blog I was sold. You mean to tell me there are at least six (thoughtful) book stores that aren’t Barnes & Noble or Half Price, and one of them doubles as a coworking/cafe space? For a city of less than 200,000, six (cute!) bookstores is Eden. I can’t even find that many within a day’s drive in Los Angeles. 

I started mapping it out, seeing if it was feasible with work to drive half of the way in the morning before I had to be online. For those curious, I’d probably wake up early on a Friday and make my way to Shreveport, Louisiana, find a Starbucks, and hammer it out. Then I’d drive to Jackson, Mississippi for the evening and stay the night. Come daybreak I’m skipping the continental breakfast and booking it for the Chatt. Accounting for a few stops, I’ll be there by lunchtime. Depending on the time of year, that’s at least four good hours of light to explore. Maybe I could peek at a mural or two, or sip at a local brewery before anyone notices I’m not a local. They’ll probably notice very quickly, who am I kidding. Am I getting ahead of myself?