Wednesday, November 17, 2021
National Civil War Naval Museum, North and West Chattahoochee Riverwalk
In the morning, we visited the National Civil War Naval Museum. I'm not much of a Civil War buff, but the navies of the era are fascinating.
Outside the National Civil War Naval Museum
The main attraction of the museum is the remains of the CSS Jackson, a Confederate ironclad ship constructed in Columbus on the banks of the Chattahoochee. In April 1865, work on the ship was nearly completed when it was captured and set ablaze, drifting downstream 30 miles as it burned to the waterline before grounding on a sandbar and sinking. The wreck was located and raised in the early 1960s.
CSS Jackson
Confederate ironclad ship
Dual propellers of the CSS Jackson
12-pound Napolean gun, accurate to 1,200 yards
Other exhibits include wreckage of the CSS Chattahoochee, a partial replica of the USS Hartford (Admiral Farragut's ship), a replica of the USS Monitor's turret, a partial replica of the CSS Albemarle, and countless other artifacts with lengthy explanations. After two hours, our brains were on information overload, and we'd only hit the highlights.
Damn the torpedoes!
USS Monitor
CSS Albemarle
In the afternoon, we biked the North Chattahoochee Riverwalk Trail, parking at an access point just south of the North Highlands Dam and first riding north to the trail's terminus, just shy of the Lake Oliver Marina.
North Chattahoochee Riverwalk Trail
North Highlands Dam
Ascending the trail
From a high point on the Riverwalk
Covered bridge along the trail
Turning around and riding back by Old Yeller, we continued south along the river to the 14th Street pedestrian bridge downtown, making one short detour around an urban renewal reconstruction project on the way.
Pretty path
Chattahoochee River
Pardon their progress
As we did on Monday, we again crossed the river at 14th Street, but this time we continued our ride on the West Chattahoochee Riverwalk Trail in Phenix City, Alabama, riding it in its entirety. Today's ride was an exceptionally scenic 10.5 miles. Another gorgeous day!
West Chattahoochee Riverwalk Trail
14th Street bridge from Phenix City
Bridge along the Riverwalk Trail
Rising like a phoenix in Phenix City
Yes, I did
After loading the bikes, we had just enough time left for one more excursion. So we drove an hour or so north of Columbus to Dowdell's Knob, elevation 1,395 feet, famous for being FDR's favorite viewpoint and picnic spot during his visits to nearby Warm Springs. This was our last best chance to enjoy the fall foliage this year, as we'll be heading home soon.
View from Dowdell's Knob
FDR's favorite viewpoint
Tom likes it too
Lodging: Hyatt Place, still in Columbus. After three nights on the south side of the Columbus, today we moved to the north side of the city for two more nights. Free with my credit card rewards!
We had dinner at a Chili's nearby, dinner salads with grilled chicken breast. Good, but it took forever for the food to arrive.
Hooter Brown and Cooter Brown
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