What better way to assure a steady rain than to wash your car forget your umbrella make plans to go to the lake with friends? In the South, scattered showers are typical; all-day lingering rain is not.
Sunday, bags brimming with all manner of picnic and lake necessity, our plan was to head out immediately after church. We were thrilled it was raining early–in our half-full glass minds, if it was raining BEFORE church, it wouldn’t be raining after. Never mind what the radar and forecast indicated.
As the morning unfolded and rain set in for the day, so did reality: unless we were interested in boarding the boat already soaked, it was probably a good idea to postpone our outing. Instead, we came home, picnicked in our kitchen and watched a bunch of turkeys play in our yard.
As the afternoon drizzled into evening, we decided to have dinner at Sticky Fingers in downtown Chattanooga. Our hope was by the end of dinner, it would’ve cleared enough to stroll the district–if you’ve never been, downtown Chatty is a GREAT walkin’ around destination.
A mess of onion rings, ribs and chicken wings later, the skies cleared. Because "Project Black" is on my photographic mind, it’s not surprising so much of what I saw was indeed black. I’ll keep the explanations simple; the photos speak well:
My youngest son’s newest tee, the cutest Sticky Fingers billboard I’ve ever seen!
This visual appeal of this poster is undeniable. Verbally–"Imaginative, appealing, ambient jazz"?? Aren’t you the least bit curious to hear Shikoh and Phillips?
As we walked out, I looked up…no doubt Anna inspired me to "see" this.
At the peak of the Bluff View Arts District, a mighty watchtower stands guard. Except he’s not very good at his job–he doesn’t know how to tell time.
This accordion-pleat beauty, "Red and Black Spiral" by George Sugarman is one of my favorites (click the picture for an alternate view).
After coffee, sweets and a bathroom break at Rembrandts, we headed back to our car. The last "black" to catch my eye was this punched sign for "Easy Bistro and Bar"; not so much for the aesthetic value of the sign (though I like it), but because the restaurant changed names since the last time we saw it.
It wasn’t the day we planned, but when all was said and done, I think we accomplished the same thing–fun was had by all :).
~ Please visit Anna Carson for more views of Project Black (and, as always, she’d love for you to post your own!).
What a cool architectural view of the city! I forgot to ask you if you were familiar with Suck Creek Cycle. I’ve got on my t-shirt from there today. The owners were the friends we stayed with recently in Chattanooga.
Great shots, Robin!
I have strolled downtown Chattanooga. It’s one of the cities I could love to live in.
Great pictures! I’m in the middle of planning a trip to Chattanooga for our anniversary – any suggestions for places to stay or things to do?
I’m thinking hubby and I need to hop on the Harleys and come for a visit 😀 Great pictures!
I love Chattanooga. I lived there for several years before moving to the Atlanta area. I still miss it.
Not that your writing isn’t superb, but I’ve missed your pictures. And today we got a whole series! Waaa hoooo. With all you shared I have to say I’m not sorry your day turned out the way it did. I can just imagine your family watching you stop to take all of these. Like me taking the picture of my tires sprawled out on my driveway, I’m thinking of your family watching you shoot all of these.
I love what you have found! ALL OF THEM!
Rain delays and blackouts regardless – this is a wonderful collection of photos. I especially like the big accordion-like sculpture and the clock at that wonderful angle, but they are all wonderful!
What a terrific series! The black belt really stands out for me but they’re all great!