Have you ever gone on the greatest trip in the world? I know I have: Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was awesome! We went to Lookout Mountain, where you’ll find Rock City. Have you ever gone one thousand feet underground? Have you ever seen a waterfall? Guess what?! I’ve done both at the same time! Let me introduce you to Ruby Falls! It blew my mind, and I bet it would blow your mind too! Also, we went to the aquarium and saw many freshwater fish and saltwater marine animals. It was cool.
First, we went to Rock City. In Rock City, there are many trails where you can see interesting rock formations. On the starting trail, there are two rocks that are each as big as a house. They are close together, so you might have to squeeze through. It’s fun! As you walk through the trails, you see rock formations that are made of huge stone. One has gnomes all around it. It’s cute! When you’re at the end of the trail, you go over a small bridge. On your right you see the top of a waterfall, and on your left you see the water cascading to the bottom. Further on, you see a tremendous view of the horizon stretched out before you. On the viewing platform rail, there is a stone with arrows pointing in the direction of seven different states, which you can see all at once in the distance. It’s so cool, you would faint! The seven states are Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
Second, we went to see amazing Ruby Falls. Our journey started when we went into an elevator that took us one thousand feet underground. We were in an underground cave! When we stepped out we saw a low ceiling of large flat stones. This was the start of the tour to Ruby Falls. As we walked through the cave, our tour guide told us all about the limestone formations we saw. Some were small like a plate of fried eggs but the larger ones had descriptive names like: elephant’s foot, a fish, and dragon’s foot. We learned that we couldn’t touch these because they were still growing and if we touched them they would stop growing because of the oil in our skin. However, there was one that we were allowed to touch because so many people in the past had touched it that the oil in their hands had made it stop growing. That formation is called the candlestick. It felt smooth and cold. After a while, we saw the 145 ft. underground waterfall, Ruby Falls. There also were different colored lights to make it even more dramatic, but I’m telling you, Ruby Falls didn’t need that. It was amazing by itself.
Finally, we went to the aquarium. There were two buildings. One was saltwater, and the other was freshwater. In one building there was a touch tank that had stingrays and fish. I touched lots of stingrays, and one was especially playful. He flapped his wings at me. The volunteer told us they do that when they want a snack! Once I touched a fish. That was exciting! They also have a butterfly exhibit, and when we were about to exit, there was a butterfly that was waiting to sneak out. Thankfully, there is air that blows at the door of the exit so that the butterflies who try to get out can’t. Near the end of our visit to the aquarium, there was one big room with lots of ramps going down, and you are surrounded by the walls of water with many fish. It is like being a scuba diver almost. When we went to the salt water building, we saw a seahorses tank. It had only pregnant dad seahorses. When I looked closer at the tank, I saw baby seahorses. Each one was like a tiny half-inch-long thread with an itty bitty head! They swam in cute jerky movements. None of my family had ever seen newly birthed seahorses, so it was awesome!
In conclusion, the greatest trip I’ve ever taken in my entire life was my trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. We got to see Rock City, go in an underground cave while seeing an amazing waterfall named Ruby Falls, and go to a really big aquarium. I wish I could l live there. What’s your greatest trip you’ve ever taken? I want to hear all about it!
Rebecca Weston is a rising fifth grade from South Carolina.