Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

On the way back from Knoxville, Tennessee, the Pohicks decided to make a small excursion and check out Rock City in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Unfortunately, they didn't do their homework very well. At the bottom of the mountain, they saw a sign for the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. They somehow convinced themselves that the way to get to Rock City was to take the Incline Railway. Up the mountain they went. When they reached the top of the mountain, they saw a sign pointing towards Rock City and began hiking in that direction. Luckily, they hadn't gone very far when they saw another sign that said, "Rock City 3 Miles". Apparently both Rock City and the upper railway station are indeed at the top of the mountain, but they are separated by three miles. Oops. The ride up the mountain was still fun and the Pohicks will return another day to tour Rock City.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is an inclined plane railway located along the side of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the United States. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. The railway is approximately one mile (1.6 km) in length (single track except for a short two-track stretch at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time), and has a maximum grade of 72.7%. It is billed as the world's steepest passenger railway.

The Incline Railway opened on November 16, 1895, and was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway, which operated from 1886 to 1898. The railway is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency.

Official Websites
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Chattanooga Tennessee Official Tourism Site

Wikipedia Links
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Chattanooga Tennessee
Rock City

Knoxville Zoo

While in Knoxville Tennessee, Jake, Molly and Sarah decided to visit the Knoxville Zoo. The Knoxville Zoo has more than 800 animals and has had success breeding animals, especially Red Pandas and White Rhinos. The zoo also bred the first African elephant in captivity in the western hemisphere, in 1978. The zoo also has a large reptile collection and has a new area for children to play called the Clayton Family Kids Cove, which opened in 2005. Click here to see a few more pictures from the Knoxville Zoo.

2008 DI Global Finals

The Pohick Family is at the University of Tennessee this week where Scribbles is competing in the Destination Imagination Global Finals. Destination ImagiNation (DI) is a creativity and problem solving program for children from elementary age to college age. Teams of up to seven members compete in various challenges that require complex thinking, problem solving, teamwork and creativity. The goal of the program is to teach creative and critical thinking, presentation skills, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Scribbles and her team are representing the State of Alabama. 1032 teams from around the world are participating in this years competition. Check out this link for addition Global Final Pictures.

Mayor's Award for Scholastic Excellence

Scribbles also achieved straight A's this year. In honor of her achievement she was awarded the Mayor's award for Scholastic Excellence. Sarah was quick to point out that her award was from the President while Scribble's award was only from the Mayor.

President's Award for Educational Excellence

Sarah did a great job in school this year. She achieved straight A's. In honor of her achievement, she was awarded the President's Award for Educational Excellence. The President's Education Awards Program, sponsored by the U. S. Department of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, was developed to help principals recognize and honor those students who have achieved high academic goals by their hard work and dedication to learning. Students are eligible for one of two honors: the President's Award for Educational Excellence or the President's Award for Educational Achievement. For each award students receive certificates signed by the President, the U.S. Secretary of Education and you. A congratulatory letter from the President is included with the awards.

Government Link: US Department of Education - Purpose, Eligibility, FAQ, Applicant Info, Awards, Laws, Guidance and Contact Information.

Organization Link: National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) - Explanation of the award program, criteria to receive award and form to request awards.

Lacrosse

Molly and Sarah took advantage of the good weather to play a little lacrosse in the yard. Lacrosse is a full contact team sport played using a small solid rubber ball and stick comprised of a plastic head and a metal or wood shaft. The head has a loose net strung into it that allows the player to hold the ball. Offensively the object of the game is to use the stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball in an effort to score by ultimately throwing the ball into an opponent's goal.

Studying

As the end of the school year approached, the girls were studying for their final exams. This proved very hard to do though as weather turned nice.