Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse August 21

Your Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse Experience!

Outdoor Chattanooga News & Events July 2017

Outdoor Chattanooga's newsletter highlights the awesome outdoor activities happening in and around Chattanooga that will connect you to the outdoors and inspire you to come out and play with us!

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Outdoor Chattanooga Events

Family Funday at the Walnut Wall July 9

Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced rock climbing staff will open the Walnut Wall for a Family Funday in Coolidge park to give anyone interested the opportunity to try vertical rock climbing for free on Sunday July 9 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is top roped climbing with route difficulty varying from beginner to advanced. No experience necessary, appropriate for ages 5+, and all equipment is provided. Gym shoes and longer shorts or athletic pants are recommended. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent who can sign the assumption of risk and liability release form. For more info email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 423-643-6888.

Guided Downtown Kayak Adventures July 10, 14, 17, 21, 24

Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided kayak adventure of downtown Chattanooga on the Tennessee River! Our guide staff will provide basic instruction and help you get acquainted with our stable recreational kayaks and other equipment before launching from the north shore for a leisurely paced and beginner friendly paddle around landmarks such as Maclellan Island, the Bluff View Arts District, Ross' Landing and downtown's historic bridges. Open to adults and kids ages 8+. Paddlers ages 8-13 must paddle in tandem with an adult (limit: 2 kid spaces per trip). Cost: $35 for Adults / $25 for kids ages 8-13. Guides and equipment are provided. All tour dates begin at 8:30 a.m. and last approximately 2 hours. Reservations required in advance as space is limited. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 to reserve a spot today!

Guided Cumberland Trail Hike July 13

Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, guided hike on the Cumberland Trail on Thursday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You'll experience a variety of terrain over the 5.8 mile, rated as moderately strenuous, but extremely beautiful hike from the top of Mowbray Mountain down to Big Soddy Creek Gulf. Shuttle will be provided for the one way, mostly downhill trek so you can enjoy the scenic views and sounds of nature without the worry of getting lost. Appropriate for ages 12+. Reservation required in advance as space in the shuttle vehicle is limited. For more info and to get registered email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 423-643-6888.

Chickamauga Battlefield Bike Tour July 15

Join Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, leisurely paced, historical bike tour through Chickamauga Battlefield on Sat., July 15 at 9:30 a.m. The ride is on moderately-hilly terrain, lasts about 2 hours, with frequent stops as the Ranger talks about the history of the battlefield. The rides are appropriate for ages 8 and older when accompanied by an adult. All participants are required to wear helmets. B ring your own bicycle or borrow a bicycle from the Outdoor Chattanooga's mobile bi cycle fleet at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from Friends of the Park , Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club . Reservations for the bicycles are required and only available to riders 5' or taller. Contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at (706) 866-9241 for more information or to reserve a bicycle. Additional Saturday battlefield bicycle tours scheduled for 2017 occur on August 19, September 16, and October 19 (9:30-11:30 a.m.).

Bicycle Tour on the TN Riverwalk Extension July 18

Enjoy a leisurely paced, guided Bicycle Tour of the Tennessee Riverwalk extension from downtown to the foot of Lookout Mountain in historic St. Elmo. Starting at the Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge park, the 8 mile round trip ride is rated easy to moderate and is family friendly. Please no training wheels, and children must be able to confidently ride a bike for the distance. Helmets are required for all riders and can be provided. Bicycles provided by a grant from Chattanooga Bicycle Club and Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga. The ride is free, but the group will stop to eat Crust Pizza lunch buffet halfway through the ride, so be sure to bring lunch money. Reservations are required in advance. To find out more and to get registered, Email Outdoor Chattanooga or c all 423-643-6888.

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events

This Month's Local and National Outdoor Adventure

Your Guide to Understanding and

Experiencing the Total Solar Eclipse of 2017!

Total Solar Eclipse

On August 21, 2017, for the first time since 1869, Tennessee is in the path of a total solar eclipse, a position it won't be in again until 2153. Chances are we all won't be around for the next one, so this is our best chance to see a total eclipse without traveling for hundreds or thousands of miles. Unfortunately, Chattanooga is outside the path of totality, so we'll only get a partial eclipse, which isn't nearly as special. Luckily, we're just barely outside the path, so Chattanoogans won't have to travel far to see the total eclipse. But we won't be the only ones traveling to see the spectacle. August 21st is predicted to be the worst day of traffic in U.S. history, so make a plan early and prepare for crowds.

Photo Courtesy Eclipse2017.org

What is a total solar eclipse?

If you're thinking "Don't we have solar eclipses all the time? Why are they making such a big deal out of this?" then you're thinking of partial and annular solar eclipses, when just part of the sun is blocked by the moon, which are fairly common and occur every few years. During a total solar eclipse, the sun is completely blocked by the moon, plunging the areas under the path of totality into total darkness. Since the Earth is mostly comprised of water, the path of totality tends to travel over oceans and other unpopulated areas, seen only by eclipse chasing enthusiasts. A total solar eclipse spanning such a wide stretch heavily populated land is a rarity, and to be so close to the path of totality is even more so, since the path is only about 70 miles across.

Click here to watch a short video to learn more!

Total solar eclipses are an incredible scientific coincidence: the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, and the sun is about 400 times farther away from the Earth. Since this ratio happens to be the same, the sun and moon appear to be the same size when viewed from the Earth's surface. So, when the orbit of the moon passes in front of the sun, the sun is blocked. Because of slow orbital changes, total solar eclipses did not exist millions of years in the past, nor will they exist millions of years in the future.

How to see and experience the total solar eclipse

The Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association has put together a really good list of nearby cities and towns that will experience the total eclipse, as well as eclipse events that are being offered. You can find that by clicking here. The best place to see the eclipse might not be a city: be sure to look at parks that are within the path of totality and consider taking a camping trip. Be aware that a lot of places are going to fill up and book early! There are people who chase total eclipses to the corners of the world; they aren't going to miss a chance to see an easily accessible one. Some places, especially those closest to the center of the path, are expecting at least 50,000 visitors.

*Most importantly: The eclipse cannot be viewed without a pair of eclipse

glasses. To do so risks permanent damage to vision. NASA has compiled a list of safety information for eclipse viewing, as well as a list of approved manufacturers of eclipse glasses, found here.

Eclipse Fun Facts!

The total eclipse will travel across 14 states: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.
The path of totality only crosses tiny, unpopulated corners of Montana and Iowa.
Nashville is one of five state capitals that is within the path of totality.
The path of totality is only about 70 miles across.
The eclipse will only take 1 hour and 33 minutes to travel across the United States.
Scientists and historians have been able to pinpoint the exact dates of historical events as far back as 2137 BCE based on writings mentioning eclipses.
In 1919, Arthur Stanley Eddington used a total solar eclipse to prove Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

Community Events

Burn Your Half Off Half Marathon(s) July 7-9

Burn Your Half Off presented by Run Chattanooga offers 4 half marathons in one weekend all with an entry fee of $5! Friday and Saturday night runs are at Harrison Bay State Park on the Bay Loop trail. The trail is semi-technical (there are roots to contend with) with gently rolling hills. Completely runnable, no water crossings, and walkers/hikers are welcome. Both races start at 6 p.m., with an early start at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday morning runs are at the Riverpark, in our usual location on our usual course. Basically completely flat, cement path along the river. As always, post-race food is potluck style. All runners receive a "medal" (but it's a $5 race, so don't go expecting anything fancy!) This is a super low-key, focused on fun, non-competitive weekend. Registration ends July 5. For more info and to get registered, click here .

Lula Lake Camping and Cookout July 8-9

Ever wanted to campout on Lula Lake Property? Here's your chance! Lula Lake Land Trust has graciously allowed the Velo Vixens and SORBA Chattanooga to have a family friendly weekend at the property. Activities will include:

-Saturday, July 8 - Camping and cookout with a donation made to LLLT. Members of either group, $10/tent, non-members, $20/tent.
-Sunday, July 9 - hike, bike, or run on the new trails! Maps will be provided. A beginner, ladies only mountain bike ride hosted by Suck Creek Cycle and Velo Vixen member, Wendy Willson at 5 points on Sunday. For more info about campout events, click here.

Spirit of America Camp Youth Boating Camp July 17-21

The Spirit of America Camp at Harrison Bay State Park offers girls and boys the opportunity to expand their knowledge and comfort level on an array of watercrafts, including: canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, small boats, and even sailboats! This 5 day camp teaches participants boating safety, operation, equipment, paddle technique, and even how to sail! This fun program is open to ages 12-15. Classes will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 17 through July 21. Registration is $40.00 in addition to a $10.00 boating education permit (Type 600) that must be purchased prior to camp in order to take the boating certification exam. For more information, contact Harrison Bay State Park 423-344-6214 or email Park Ranger Candace Daniels

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