riverboat cruise that ventures deep into the lush and lovely gorge (“Ten- nessee’s Grand Canyon”), a desig- nated wildlife sanctuary and U.N. biosphere zone with more than 1,000 varieties of plants, animals, birds and fish. More info:
www.tnaqua.org. Active travelers: Locals refer to Chattanooga as “Boulder of the East” — and the description fits. You can kayak up to 48 miles along the Tennessee River Blueway; ride a bike for miles along the river- walk path; walk across the Walnut Street Bridge to the trendy, artsy North Shore, where dance steps are embedded in the sidewalks; or take a spin on a restored carousel that plays “Oh! Susanna” as it spins round and round. Visit the Chattanooga Nature Center at the base of Lookout Mountain, where injured animals (most hit by cars) that include bald eagles, great horned owls, and red- tail hawks get rehabilitated and red wolves (one of the country’s most endangered animals) are be- ing repopulated. In this wilderness sanctuary, you can canoe down the calm waters of Lookout Creek or rent a rustic creekside cabin for $35 a night, complete with the sound of howling wolves. More info: www
.outdoorchattanooga.com,
www.no rthshorechattanooga.com,
www.cha
ttanooganaturecenter.org. Nostalgia lovers: Spend the night in an authentic passenger car of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The his- toric train station was converted to a hotel in the 1970s. The terminal now serves as the lobby, with the original ticket counter and switching station. Around the property, you’ll find an arcade, a candy shop, an ice cream parlor, and a tintype photo studio. Or stay on the iconic Delta Queen,
now serving as a hotel permanently docked on the river. More info:
www.choochoo.com,
www.deltaqu
eenhotel.com.
PHOTO: MATT INDEN/WEAVER MULTIMEDIA GROUP
Vail offers glorious views for summer- time hikers.
Vail, Colo.
With a backdrop of towering peaks, pine-scented air, and crystal blue sky, this pretty Rocky Mountain village offers wide-open spaces to play, relax, hike, or simply absorb nature’s grandeur. Best known as a world-class ski destination, Vail offers much for nonskiers and summer travelers, too. Everyone will love: For accommodations, you’ll find plenty of fancy
name-brand resorts, but for something more accessible and private, check into Vail Mountain Lodge. The intimate boutique hotel in the heart of the vil- lage offers all the personal attention, privacy, amenities, and quiet luxury you could crave, plus fluffy feather beds, complimentary breakfasts, and accom- modations ranging from cozy lodge rooms to spacious family suites and new one- to three-bedroom condos. More info:
www.vailmountainlodge.com. Sophisticated travelers: Galleries and high-end boutiques line wind- ing cobblestone paths with blooming flower boxes hanging from street lamps. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens displays some of the world’s most beautiful mountain flowers and plants, with children’s gardens and tours and programs for all ages. Thanks to the Art in Public Places program, a simple stroll through town becomes even more pleasurable with museum- worthy works at every turn, from whimsical dancing fountains to beauti- ful tileworks and evocative sculptures. Free art tours and gallery walks are held throughout the year, as well as art classes for children, teens, and adults and ongoing winter and summer art exhibitions and events. Foodies will find charming outdoor bistros, coffee houses, and fine-dining res-
APRIL 2011 MILITARY OFFICER 69
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