SAW ROCK CITY

BY DAN MILLER
October 19, 2006

My whole life I've passed those painted barns and eye-catching signs, beckoning me to See Rock City....
Well finally, I saw Rock City.

I saw it in the company of my wife Karen, and the wonder-filled eyes of our daughter McKensie.
The night before our big adventure, we stayed in a train car at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel -- a fun place, though McKensie kept wondering when the train would move.
And I'm happy to report that Karen's collection of those little hotel soaps, shampoos and lotions is now virtually complete.

Actually, more than 20 years ago, Karen and I had pulled into the parking lot at Rock City, planning to take the tour.
But -- alas -- it was raining that day, so we decided to make the trip again on a more agreeable day.

Now, 20+ years later, we again pulled into the parking lot -- along with our 7 year old -- and just like before, it was pouring rain.
My immediate suggestion was to leave and -- perhaps -- come back on a more agreeable day.... maybe in another 20 years or so.

But Karen quickly reminded me that -- at my age -- in another 20 years or so, well..... you know......

So we did it.
The nice folks at Rock City are obviously prepared for rainy days.
They handed each of us a free, yellow poncho.
And off we sloshed through a magical wonderland of paths, bridges and impossibly tight passageways.

I have visited many tourist attractions, in bright beautiful weather.... but, even in the cold rain, Rock City trumps most of them.
It is truly an enchanting place.

The lookout from Lovers Leap is spellbinding, even though we couldn't -- as advertised -- see seven states.
We could only see the immediate countryside of Tennessee, with fog and rain clouds streaming up from the valley far below.
But even that.... with the wind whipping through the flags.... offered an invigorating, awe-inspiring kind of beauty.

The bad news was, we were wet and cold -- and every few yards we'd have to stop and roll up our soaked pants legs....
The good news was, we had the whole place almost to ourselves -- and we never once considered turning back, or missing any of the majestic views.

The real payoff for McKensie came when we entered the Fairyland Caverns, which lead to a huge, magical room called Mother Goose Village.
Every fairy tale and nursery rhyme you've ever known is depicted there in glowing ultraviolet landscapes that are mesmerizing, even for jaded old adults.

When I went back to work after our trip, I remembered that my co-anchor Demetria had taken her nieces to Rock City not long ago.... so I asked her how they liked Mother Goose Village and the Fairyland Caverns....
"Oh, we missed that part," Demetria said.
"What!?!", I screamed in disbelief.
I then came dangerously close to demanding that she take them back soon.
She promised she will.

Here's my closing thought....
If you're looking for a nice day trip, consider Rock City.
And if it's raining.... don't worry about it.
The free ponchos will keep certain parts of your midsection reasonably dry.

Like the signs say, See Rock City!!

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