Point Park

Thursday 24 October
Our first destination this morning was Point Park, a ten-acre memorial park that overlooks the Lookout Mountain Battlefield as well as Chattanooga and the Tennessee River. The large monument is the New York Peace Memorial which was erected by the State of New York as a tribute to peace and reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans after the Civil War. The views and the coloured leaves were beautiful, as well as poignant, when you thinks of the thousands of lives lost on this land you were looking over.
We then drove to Sunset Rock where we walked to yesterday, and dropped Jen’s car off in the car park, then we all continued in our car further along the ridge, and hiked back to Jens car - about 3 1/2 miles - a beautiful hike with the Fall colours and massive cliffs and boulders along the way. We retrieved our car then went to a taqueria for a late lunch. Jen and I both ordered three mini tacos which came served on paper on a circular metal tray with a shallow edge. The waiter served Jen’s, but in so doing, somehow tipped mine upside down on the table! Fortunately, it missed going on me. It took us all by surprise, and the poor waiter was so embarrassed and apologetic. He quickly cleaned up the mess, and put the order in again, and another waitress cleaned up the floor. The replacement order came out quite quickly, the waiter still being very apologetic, but we tried to assure him accidents happen. When they brought the bill at the end, they said there was no charge for my meal, which was really nice of them.
Then it was time to return to the apartment for Jen to pick her stuff up, and start her journey home. We however were staying another night. I had been wanting to visit the Hunter Museum of American Art, but I was imagining it would close at 5pm, but when I checked the website, I was pleased to discover Thursday is their late opening night and they were open until 8 pm, so that gave us plenty of time. I talked a bit about the museum in my Tuesday blip when we saw it from the outside. It comprises a 1905 classical revival mansion, a low 1970’s “brutalist” design building, and a 2005 contemporary structure. It showcases 100 years of architecture and spans the history of American Art from the colonial period to the present day, including painting, sculpture contemporary studio glass and crafts. The architecture and setting for the art in the mansion was beautiful, and I loved the contemporary building too, with lots of glass and light, and affording beautiful views over the river. I’ve added a second collage in extras.
Another beautiful day, with blue skies and sunshine, reaching a high of over 80F (27C)!