I just love the chance to play tourist in Chattanooga!
Since I've lived here for 7 years now, I feel like I need an excuse to play the role. So I was thrilled my parents stopped by this past weekend on the way back from their home in Florida.
Three years after attending the press conference announcing a new riverboat on the Tennessee River, I finally took my maiden voyage on the Tennessee Aquarium's River Gorge Explorer. What a blast! Let me tell you speed demons... Going down Highway 153 in a car at 55 mph is one thing. Speeding down the Tennessee River on a jet-propulsed boat with four 2300rpm engines and 375,000 horsepower is another experience entirely!
The ride (and sudden abrupt stops-- check out the pictures of waves outside the windows) are deserving of an Amy-O-Meter score of "10" in and of themselves...
But it got even better. They let me steer the boat! While enjoying the beautiful scenery and taking in the region's rich history as told by tour guide Debbie, Captain Kyle Payne asked if my family and I would like to see the boat house. (It didn't take much for us to say, "Yes please!") Then, the piece-de-resistance: he let me try out his captains chair and let me take control.
I was a bit nervous... and it didn't help when they told me a 5-year-old did it the previous week. I mean, 375,000hp at my control... Wow! Of course, Captain Steve was right next to me and could take back control if it looked even for a second like I'd be in any danger (I was sooooo not going to be the person who crashed a $3 million boat!) They even let me steer by remote control as we came back in to the dock!
Anyway, the day was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I am so glad my family and I took the River Gorge Explorer.... Getting to drive or not, the day was a lot of fun and I totally recommend it to anyone looking for a fun "tourist-y" kind of day.
Captain Kyle and the River Gorge Explorer-- You're both definite "10"s on the Amy-O-Meter.
Thanks again!
