Spectacular Ruby Falls in Chattanooga

Chris Boothman
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3
Spectacular Ruby Falls in Chattanooga

After traveling to Atlanta, GA for the weekend of the TOUR Championship in September 2012, we made a spur of the moment decision to head back home on Sunday using an alternative route. After researching a route that would take us back home through Nashville, we noticed that on the way about half way from Atlanta to Nashville was Chattanooga, TN.

Researching this city gave little to suggest there would be much to do there until we came across a website advertising an underground waterfall, namely Ruby Falls. We decided to pay this a visit though I think both of us thought it would probably be a bit of a letdown given the random location in the heart of Tennessee, not the stereotypical spot for an apparently gorgeous waterfall. The fact that this was underground also made this a little unusual and probably encouraged us to see this with our own eyes.

After about a 10 minute wait we entered the elevator and began our descent underground. Only after the doors closed and we began rapidly descending did we realize just how far down we were going. The doors opened and reality set in as we were encapsulated among the sedimentary rock and limestone. The tour guide began the tour indicating that we would be walking for at least 1/2 mile to the final destination, the sight everyone was waiting for – Ruby Falls!
ruby falls

Heather and I were given the task of being the tail of the tour group, the “folks from Arkansas/England” as we were referred to would be called upon to let the guide know that everyone was in front of and we didn’t have any stragglers. This worked out well for us because although we slipped behind on several occasions, it gave us the opportunity to take the best photographs and also examine the rock formations throughout the trek down the mountain.

To put this into perspective, by the time you reach Ruby Falls, you have traveled the height of the Empire State Building underground (over 1000 ft), so for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia, this may not be the trip for you. The majority of the trip allows you to stand up though there are parts (maybe a few more for Heather and I given our height) you have to crouch down or walk single file through the cracks and crevices!

ruby falls 2

There are a number of cool rock formations along the way, each has unique names and references. But the real treat awaits at the end of the tour down the mountain and it really is worth the wait. The tour guides increase the drama because on arrival at the waterfall you are in complete darkness. The lights are turned on and you see the amazing sight of the largest and deepest waterfall underground in the United States. You are able to get close to the waterfall and have your photograph taken in front of the amazing sight. The sound of the gushing water simply enhances the experience and it truly is a worthwhile attraction to visit.

The walk back up the mountain seems to be much shorter, maybe because you are now under the realization that you are walking away from the main attraction. However, after taking the elevator back to the gift shop and further upstairs, you are given the opportunity to stand on the “Lookout” which provides breathtaking views over Chattanooga and the Tennessee landscape. This really does provide an opportunity to see the beauty that is present within the eastern side of the state of Tennessee, much of which is not apparent in the Memphis and western regions.

Positives

  • A breathtaking experience well worth the $18 admission fee. The tour is detailed, the views are amazing and the guide is knowledgeable and informative.
  • Easy location to find and ample parking makes this a great attraction to visit.
  • Photograph opportunities are a must at attractions like this and Ruby Falls certainly offers plenty of these.

Negatives

  • Anyone suffering from claustrophobia should probably consider how they would feel 1200 ft underground before venturing on the tour. Once in the elevator, there really is no turning back!
  • The gift shop is rather expensive but it does provide a vast array of mementos.
  • There really doesn’t seem to be much else to do within the Chattanooga area so unless you are traveling specifically there to see Ruby Falls, you may be left disappointed (the views and waterfalls within the area do make up for the lack of attractions).

How to Enjoy an Action-Packed 4 Day Trip to Miami, Florida?

Chris Boothman
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3
How to Enjoy an Action-Packed 4 Day Trip to Miami, Florida?

For Heather’s birthday, we decided to head on an action-packed 4 day trip to Miami, Florida for the holiday weekend. Given that we usually rent a car for such trips, this was a more unique experience for us especially Heather, as we knew that this was going to be a trip of relaxation and full use of the Miami public transportation system.

How to Get from the Airport to Miami Beach?

Arriving at Miami International Airport, we first realized that the walk from the arrival terminal to the bus station to catch the Airport Flyer express bus to Miami Beach was certainly a fair workout for even the fittest of folks! Arriving at the bus station we purchased our tickets at the machine, later realizing that it would have been more beneficial to load a more substantial amount on the card given the amount of trips we would make!

Miami Beach

The trip from the airport to Miami Beach was a little sketchy at first but became more picturesque as you crossed over the causeway and down into the Miami Beach region. I had determined that we could get off the bus on Collins Avenue and walk 1/2 mile to our hotel, the Grand Beach Hotel! We went ahead and did this but what we didn’t realize is that in 90+ degree weather, walking 1/2 mile dragging suitcases seems to be a much longer distance than it really is.

Where to Stay in Miami?

We finally arrived at the Grand Beach Hotel and were certainly not disappointed. The views over the Miami Beach causeway were amazing and the size of the houses and boats were certainly fitting for the location. The entrance and hallway to this hotel is truly spectacular with marble floors and a very modern architecture noticeable throughout the interior.

Entering our room was a real treat, the views over the Atlantic Ocean were spectacular and the balcony and space we had throughout our suite was amazing! Everything inside our room was bright colors and modern to meet the rest of the hotel’s decor.

The first evening saw us venture back on the bus, which we realized there was a bus stop right outside our hotel, and head back to downtown South Beach, Miami. We got off at the American Airlines arena stop which was hosting the Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez concert so as you can imagine it was overcrowded to say the least. We headed past the arena and to the Bayside Marketplace where we were treated to some great Cuban entertainment and also a variety of dining options.

Miami Arena

Where to Eat in Miami?

The first night we decided to sample the Hard Rock Cafe cuisine though later in the trip we sampled some local Italian food at Lombardi’s Ristorante which was truly exceptional and a must for anyone in the region!!

There is so much to do at the marketplace including tours around the Miami bay and also a cool opportunity to take a water taxi from one part of Miami to another if you want to avoid the extortionate taxi costs or time consuming bus services. We wandered around the local shops and every other store appeared to be a bar offering cut-price beer or customized daiquiri’s to meet your personal preference.

Things to Do in Miami

We spent much of our mornings at the hotel and either on the beach or by the two amazing pools! One of the great aspects of the Grand Beach Hotel was that there were loungers and personal umbrellas surrounding the pools that were already included in the hotel cost which was a nice surprise given that there are usually surcharges. Wifi was also included which is another great incentive.

Miami truly is a vibrant city with a host of attractions, dining opportunities and shopping! We visited two malls while in the Miami area including a worthwhile day trip to Fort Lauderdale to visit the largest outlet mall in Florida, the Sawgrass Mills mall. This allowed us to experience both the bus and the train from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale which was another great experience and first for both of us.

The mall is literally massive, encompassing a vast area and offering hundreds of discount stores yet leading name brands. There are a variety of restaurants available also that are reasonably priced although I would conservatively recommend spending at least 5-6 hours here (really a full day experience with all the traveling involved if you don’t have a rental car available!) to visit all of the shops available.

One word of warning is that the bus trip from the Grand Beach Hotel to the train station is both rather lengthy and also travels through probably parts of Miami’s worst areas though during the day, it really is not too bad. Returning from Ft. Lauderdale we opted to take the subway transit system to head back to the Bayside Marketplace to sample more of their excellent cuisine options.

The Aventura Mall is another great mall but is more expensive but a better location for anyone not looking to travel too far from the heart of Miami. I would certainly recommend taking one of the bayside tours especially those that offer the opportunity to view the spectacular multi-million dollar mansions host to some of the world’ most famous superstars in music, sport and movies.

If you are ready to really go “off the beaten path,” check out this collection of offbeat Miami attractions for a more authentic experience.

Summary

Our four day adventure to Miami was an awesome experience and we are already raring to go back to explore further. Here is a quick breakdown of the positives and negative aspects that we experienced during this visit:

Positives

  • There are a variety of great hotels available, especially the Grand Beach Hotel where we stayed.
  • The Bayside Marketplace is a perfect, relaxing hub for dining and entertainment throughout the day and well into the evening! In particular if you enjoy Italian food, sample the Lombardi Ristorante!
  • Sawgrass Mills Outlet mall is huge and offers a great shopping experience. Although it is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL it gives you the opportunity to sample the Miami-Dade public transportation system and also venture out to see more of Florida’s landscape

Negatives

  • Many of the beaches, especially at the Grand Beach Hotel are a little disappointing. Not only is there a lot of seaweed, the beaches were very rocky. Certainly not the stereotypical golden beaches that you think of when considering Florida for a vacation. On a positive note, the beaches in South Beach Miami are apparently better.
  • Traveling on the bus is time consuming and can get expensive if you don’t pre-purchase a travel card. Make sure you have correct change at all times because the bus drivers DO NOT carry any change.
  • In the heart of Miami Beach, there are very few dining options and you are almost forced into traveling further downtown to South Beach or north to the Aventura Mall.

What are your experiences in Miami?

Experiencing the 2012 Ryder Cup Adventure

Chris Boothman
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3
Experiencing the 2012 Ryder Cup Adventure

Sunday September 30th, 2012 was the scene of the most amazing comeback in golfing history as Europe fought back from 10-4 behind midway through Saturday’s Fourball section to seal an astonishing 14 1/2 – 13 1/2 victory over USA in the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Only a week after travelling to the TOUR Championship in Atlanta, GA, we were unsure as to whether we could justify the 9 hour drive on Friday night knowing that we would have to do the same drive on Sunday evening following the golf. Knowing that the Ryder Cup is only once every two years, we decided to purchase two Sunday tickets for a little over $400 and venture north to Chicago, IL.

Facing a deficit of 10 – 6, Europe were serious underdogs heading into the final day singles but captained under the Spanish maestro, Jose Maria Olazabal, the strong European contingent continued their never say die attitude in a desperate hope that the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ could prevail.

2012 Ryder Cup

The scene was set on the practice green and first tee with the vociferous American crowds chanting ‘USA, USA’ and the European ‘Ole’s’ struggling to make any sort of impact.

No fear, what USA did not possess was a certain Mr. Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter. The Londoner is an absolute legend in Ryder Cups and truly shows his patriotism with his heart on the sleeve reactions. He certainly set the scene for the Sunday play with a delicate chip-in for birdie on the first which gave the Europeans the slightest of hopes that this could be their day.

2012 Ryder Cup

Throughout the morning, we walked around the course catching glimpses of pure class from the Europeans and the Americans struggling to stay in touch with the apparent comeback. Even so, the US team still remained favourites with the likes of Phil Mickelson fighting back against Justin Rose after falling 2 down early in their encounter and Webb Simpson taking the initiative against the inspired yet inconsistent Poulter.

We found an excellent spot at the furthest point of the course around the 6th green, 7th tee, 9th green and 10th tee all within close proximity. We spent the majority of the early afternoon here and then moved over to the 15th green which was a key hole on the course, a driveable par 4 with water lining the right side of the hole.

Immediately after we arrived, Keegan Bradley drove his ball left against Rory McIlroy not far from where we were standing giving us a great opportunity improve our view. Watching Bradley hit an impressive flop shot to a pin location just over the greenside bunker was soon followed up by the cheers of McIroy holing his putt to win the hole sending the European fans into uproar. The slight chance at the beginning of the day for a European victory was now becoming a possible reality. This became even more possible when Paul Lawrie followed Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose in becoming the third European winner to reduce the score to 10-9.

We watched all the remaining groups come through including Lee Westwood’s 15 ft birdie putt which saw another European roar sending shockwaves across the course. With the scores tied at 13 – 13 and only two matches remaining on the course, we headed to the 17th and 18th where we saw Steve Stricker fail to get up and down against Martin Kaymer to go 1 down. With Tiger Woods in the final match struggling to see of the spirited Italian, Francesco Molinari, Stricker new that he had to win the 18th to salvage the American’s disastrous meltdown.

We lucked out as we approached the 18th green finding an excellent viewing point to the left of the green among the loud European following. After Stricker sent his first putt wide of the target, we knew that Kaymer had two putts to secure the Ryder Cup but we were left biting our nails as Kaymer slipped his first effort 6 ft beyond the cup. With thousands watching, Kaymer held his nerve to send us into raptures.

2012 Ryder Cup Medinah

Now I know that I keep referring to us as I am a die-hard European golfer but Heather, with her American heritage, couldn’t help but follow the passionate European supporters especially when the atmosphere became electrified following Kaymer’s winning putt.

Summary

What an amazing day and probably the greatest sporting event that I have ever been part of!!

This will long live in our memories along with all those typical European chants such as “Ole, Ole” and “There is only one Ian Poulter”!!!

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A Guide to Exploring New York City Part 2

Chris Boothman
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3
A Guide to Exploring New York City Part 2

So….after our morning and afternoon adventures, we decided to spend our early evening venturing to the top of the Empire State Building. We wandered down 34th St passing the infamous Macy’s department store (a brief visit leading us to see masses of shoppers was sufficient for us to turn around and continue down towards the landmark skyscraper.

Arriving at the foot of the Empire State we were visited with plenty of ticket touts trying to sell us VIP passes that would apparently ‘expedite’ and ‘enhance’ our experience both at the summit and on the Sky Ride that is offered.

Empire State Building

Undeterred by these folks, we entered the basement of the Empire State which on it’s own is very impressive with the entrance hall providing plenty of excellent photo opportunities.

Empire State

Entering the first elevator is a little misleading as you are only doing this to go to the first level where you begin the lengthy waiting game to go first through security and then the ticket booths to purchase tickets.

Again, we realized that purchasing the Go Select tickets was not particularly beneficial as we had to wait the same amount of time as all other individuals who had no pre-purchased tickets. It appears that only the ‘New York Pass’ VIP members were able to skip the long queues and advance through security faster than everyone else. Either way, part of the whole experience was waiting in line hearing the many languages that were there. Heather was probably feeling like the minority as there really were not many Americans present.

After getting through security which is just as tight as TSA in airports we purchased just the basic tickets to view the Observation Deck on the 86th floor though there are a myriad of options available including  the ‘top deck’ which allows visitors to go an extra 16 floors to the 102nd after the initial viewing. Overall we probably waited around 90-120 minutes to get to the 86th floor but this was certainly worth the wait. Visitors are able to be both inside and outside on the Observation Deck with stunning views over the NYC landscape and over into New Jersey.

Empire State View

The early evening on top of the Empire State is a great time to visit as you capture both NYC in the day and then the beauty of the sun setting in the distance as night time approaches and NYC’s vibrant nightlife springs into action.

We would recommend this attraction to any tourist visiting New York as it allows you to piece together all of New York’s boroughs and also cultures together from a bird’s eye view which at ground/street level you may well miss given that the majority of the time you are enclosed within the vast structures present throughout Manhattan. The gift shop offers interesting yet extortionately priced souvenirs and if you are like us you will probably be forced into purchasing at least a small memento of your trip to one of the world’ most famous landmarks.

After leaving the Empire State Building we began walking back to our hotel after realizing it was quicker and cheaper than either a yellow taxi or getting back on the complex NYC Subway system. Walking back we found, or should I say Heather found, a street corner with a group of ‘flea market’ sellers trying to quickly offload some legitimate (at least Heather thought so) Louis Vuitton purses. After a little wheeling and dealing by yours truly, Heather left happy with her new sidekick “Louis”.

Dinner that evening saw us visit a great little Irish pub, O’Lunney’s, just off Times Square and both the food and atmosphere was top notch and a great advertisement for Irish culture and cuisine.

Central Park

Day 2 saw us start walking from our hotel with our third attraction in mind that we had pre-paid for, the American Museum of Natural History which was on the north side of Central Park. Given that Central Park was one of our other attractions we wanted to visit, we decided to walk and get some breakfast on the way at a little coffee shop, aka Friends style….ok so it was just Starbucks but given the volume of Starbucks there are in NYC, it was one of our better options. Walking all the way to Central Park was another great experience as it gave us ample time to see the change from Times Square hustle and bustle, to the more day to day calmness of working life in NYC as you move towards the entrance of Central Park.

Walking around Central Park, sitting on the grass overlooking the “Home Alone” scenes was certainly memorable before we continued through the heart of the park watching a combination of families having fun and people working out on bikes and jogging.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History was our destination and upon climbing the steps and entering the building, the vast enormity of this building was the first striking thought. The wait was actually not too bad, maybe around 10 minutes before we presented our pass and got our tickets for the self-guided tour. After reviewing the map, we soon realized that this could be a full day attraction and we probably wouldn’t be able to see the full extent of the displays on offer.

I was particularly interested in the Earth and Planetary Science halls which gave you an IMAX style experience of how the Earth evolved and then you are left to walk out and down the different periods that make up the history behind earth. There are also plenty of ‘hands on’ experiences including an opportunity to stand on scales showing your weight in a variety of different locations, e.g. on the Moon, on other planets etc.

The birds and reptiles exhibits were also interesting as it divided these into their different groups and then provided detailed information on their anatomy, behavior, and various adaptations. We probably spent 2-3 hours at the museum though as mentioned this was probably nowhere near long enough given the magnitude of the exhibits on offer.

Little Italy

We headed onto the subway and headed back downtown to have lunch in Little Italy in a wonderful little restaurant, Il Palazzo Ristorante Italiano. The food was excellent but the standout feature of this restaurant was the unbelievable services by the waiters who were always on hand to refill drinks and meet your needs. We visited several little stores in this neighborhood and also walked around Chinatown just to experience the variety of cultures that spread this vast city. Walking down one street being in Little Italy and then turning right/left and being in Chinatown is enlightening to say the least.

The rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent shopping and investigating downtown Manhattan further before we returned to our hotel around 9:30PM. We initially decided we were just going to grab something but around 10:30PM we decided to venture back out on to Times Square and sample some more NYC food.

We ended up at Planet Hollywood and the food was overall a little disappointing especially given the price. You are probably paying more for the name of the location rather than the actual quality of the food. Leaving here around Midnight and back on to Times Square is certainly worth the late night dining experience just to see how this city truly is the 24 hour city of the world given the number of people that are still walking up and down.

Central Park

Bryant Park

Our final day saw us go to Bryant Park which on a glorious Sunday morning was a perfect relaxing spot to watch some Eastern European’s playing table tennis in the park. We then walked down to the United Nations complex which was worthwhile as we were able to walk through Grand Central Station which was one of Heather’s ‘must-see’ spots.

We visited the NBA Store and then grabbed lunch at Heartland Brewery & Chophouse. I experienced a buffalo burger for the first time here and this is a definite choice for anyone who loves a little extra spice in their burger.

Leaving here brought an end to our New York City trip but this was certainly memorable. The journey back to the airport also saw us use New York’s public transportation system to the max as we used both subway and the bus to get to La Guardia.

Positives

  • Central Park is a great, relaxing location for all ages.
  • The Empire State Building, despite the lengthy wait, is worthwhile with the stunning views on offer over the NYC landscape.
  • Try the variety of local cuisines, especially the Irish pubs and Italian restaurants in Little Italy. I am sure the Chinese restaurants are equally appetizing for anyone who likes this (sorry Heather, I am not a Chinese cuisine lover!)

Negatives

  • Always keep a close eye on your credit card especially in restaurants. A few days after returning from NYC I realized I had several hundred dollars of credit card fraud against me.
  • Plan your days and trips accordingly based on the amount of waits to expect at the top attractions

New York City is truly an exhilarating, 24 hour city that is a must see for EVERYONE!!! WE WILL BE BACK!!!

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