About this place .... |
2017.05.25 - On the spur of the moment again, I opted to build out the three day memorial day holiday by a couple of days - to go see Ruby falls and Overlook mountain.
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I got the triple ticket for Ruby Falls, Overlook Mountain and Rock City. A fairly straight shot - it was an easy (but not short) ride.
When I got there, as I pulled up I saw a school bus - pulling in. I quickly ran (loose interpretation of my speed) to see if I could get in before the mass of teens. Now I don't necessarily have anything against being a part of a school tour - but I do have some issues with claustrophobia and feeling trapped - the group was at least 50 people!. But I got in on a much smaller tour. Sometimes it is good to just dive in .... the start of the tour is 600 feet down - which you go through via an elevator where the elevator front door - is clear - so you can easily see .... nothing but rock as you go down, down, down.
I got through that hurdle and settle myself at the back of the tour. The tour guide (Katie) asked me where I was from and when I said New Jersey - I became Jersey for the rest of the tour. I would let the group go ahead of me in the small spaces, Katie would ask if Jersey was there. When they moved I went through the small spaces. It was informative and beautiful. I had several folks ask me about the pictures if the colors were natural. When you are 600 feet under there is no light - if it wasn't artificially lit - you literally would not be able to see your hand in front of your face.
The high spot (again literally) of the tour is the waterfall. So here's a hint if you are looking for photography opportunities, the cavern is completely dark, they turn on lights - changing colors - for 2 minutes. Then they go out and that's it. So .... gauge your settings along the trail and if using a tripod - have it all at the ready to drop, focus and shoot. Oh --- and it's about 65 degrees down there - I loved it, but folks that get chilly may want a sweater.
The next stop was Overlook mountain at Rock City. Rock city is very pretty. BUT - I started out and was walking and hit the pass - eye of the needle. Not liking the tight spaces above ground anymore than below I made my way back and asked if there was another pass - they do have one that was much better for me. There is a rope bridge - but by this time I was starting to get overheated (not a summer fan), so I wrapped it up after taking a peak at the fall, the Gnome sitting on the mountain and enjoying the views.
The third part of the ticket was to up in the Incline Railway. I was actually quite happy to be sitting for the ride up. Steep is an understatement. The views of Rock City below and the surrounding landscape were beautiful. It was also the first time I could get a picture of a plane, while flying, with me on the same level - so pretty high up!
I didn't explore as much of Rock City as I would like, but that will have to wait until fall.
Click on the main photo to see navigation controls for the slide show, play the entire slide show or click on individual thumbnails to see the photo you are interested in.
When I got there, as I pulled up I saw a school bus - pulling in. I quickly ran (loose interpretation of my speed) to see if I could get in before the mass of teens. Now I don't necessarily have anything against being a part of a school tour - but I do have some issues with claustrophobia and feeling trapped - the group was at least 50 people!. But I got in on a much smaller tour. Sometimes it is good to just dive in .... the start of the tour is 600 feet down - which you go through via an elevator where the elevator front door - is clear - so you can easily see .... nothing but rock as you go down, down, down.
I got through that hurdle and settle myself at the back of the tour. The tour guide (Katie) asked me where I was from and when I said New Jersey - I became Jersey for the rest of the tour. I would let the group go ahead of me in the small spaces, Katie would ask if Jersey was there. When they moved I went through the small spaces. It was informative and beautiful. I had several folks ask me about the pictures if the colors were natural. When you are 600 feet under there is no light - if it wasn't artificially lit - you literally would not be able to see your hand in front of your face.
The high spot (again literally) of the tour is the waterfall. So here's a hint if you are looking for photography opportunities, the cavern is completely dark, they turn on lights - changing colors - for 2 minutes. Then they go out and that's it. So .... gauge your settings along the trail and if using a tripod - have it all at the ready to drop, focus and shoot. Oh --- and it's about 65 degrees down there - I loved it, but folks that get chilly may want a sweater.
The next stop was Overlook mountain at Rock City. Rock city is very pretty. BUT - I started out and was walking and hit the pass - eye of the needle. Not liking the tight spaces above ground anymore than below I made my way back and asked if there was another pass - they do have one that was much better for me. There is a rope bridge - but by this time I was starting to get overheated (not a summer fan), so I wrapped it up after taking a peak at the fall, the Gnome sitting on the mountain and enjoying the views.
The third part of the ticket was to up in the Incline Railway. I was actually quite happy to be sitting for the ride up. Steep is an understatement. The views of Rock City below and the surrounding landscape were beautiful. It was also the first time I could get a picture of a plane, while flying, with me on the same level - so pretty high up!
I didn't explore as much of Rock City as I would like, but that will have to wait until fall.
Click on the main photo to see navigation controls for the slide show, play the entire slide show or click on individual thumbnails to see the photo you are interested in.