We paused at the Chattanooga Camping World to get our Airstream’s wheel bearings re-packed.  We learned we need a new tire and bearings for one wheel, because the cover cap came off, we lost our grease and burned up those bearings.  The wheel then rode a bit sideways and wore out the tread on the inside of the tire.  Who did the last bearing repack?  Camping World.  Is there a warranty?  Yes, but it’s not in writing, its term is unspecified, and no remedies are laid out.  Sounds like No Warranty, don’t it?  But everything else appears to be in fine condition.  Things could be worse.  And what use do we have for $300 anyway?

While Camping World fiddled we took a short trip to downtown Chattanooga.  This city occupies both banks of the Tennessee River, which is near flood stage these days.  It’s good to see that somebody’s getting enough rain; we have seen so many low reservoirs.  It’s a town remarkable for its bicycle rental program.  Rental stations are everywhere.  Temperatures were in the 40’s today, so we weren’t tempted.  And Pink was with us, but she is so absent minded on signaling turns: we don’t dare ride with her.

There are multiple parks alongside the big river.  All are scarred by pay parking lots.  Others have them and No Dogs signs.  What kind of city puts in parks where everybody pays to park, and where your doggie ain’t welcome?  But I like this place.  It has a lot of recycled buildings that look interesting as cafes or brewpubs.  Public art is everywhere downtown.

No trip here is complete without a Chattanooga Choo Choo sighting.  Steam locomotives are long gone, but a historic hotel built around the old rail terminal now bears the name.  The song was about a train, but no particular train.  Chattanooga was a regional rail hub, so a lot of passengers going other places came through here and saw some of this city.  Here’s a link to the world’s first Gold Record, a 1941 Glenn Miller recording of the famous song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQybKMXL-k

We got a quick look at AT&T Park where the Chattanooga Lookouts play their home games.  Yasiel Puig, now of the Los Angeles Dodgers, got his first Reckless Driving Award here for going 97 in a 50 zone.  He was arrested last week in Florida going 110 in a 70 zone.  He grew up dirt poor in Cuba, and it has to be exhilarating to pilot a fast luxury car that doesn’t smoke or rattle.  Yet this ticket shows progress:  he’s only 40 over the limit, and he was on an Interstate.  You might say Yasiel’s growing up.  You think?