The stroll on the new section of the Riverwalk at the St Elmo trailhead was a new visual experience of Chattanooga's golden manufacturing days and a walk down memory lane for others. The walk near the river revealed beautiful flowers and a glimpse into the city's manufacturing prime. The companies past and present include Wheland Foundry, U.S. Pipe and Foundry, Siskin Steel and Combustion Engineering that once employed a few of today's participants/family members along with several thousand Chattanooga residents. Before we drift back on those good old days, I have to mention that those same facilities helped Chattanooga gain the notoriety as the most air polluted city in the country. It was not unusual during the 1960's and early 1970's for the pollution to prevent the view of the surrounding mountains. It was not unusual for drivers to turn on their headlights at noon because the dust and smoke in the air was so thick. Thanks EPA.
The walk also allowed for a nice casual 2-3 mile walk or a longer 5-6 mile walk in the heat. This outing is a great event for the fall/winter but not late July/August (note to self, no Riverwalk during the summer). For a bunch of pictures, click here.