3.07.2008

The Chattanooga Challenge

Today, we decided last minute to take a trip to the Chickamauga Battlefield just outside of Chattanooga, TN. So we picked up the kids a bit early from school and headed off on the 2 hour drive.
After the self guided tour of the battlefield we headed into Chattanooga to a place near the Aquariums called Cheeburger Cheeseburger.
There we were met with a challenge -- eat the "Ultimate" hamburger and get your picture place on the Wall of Famers. About four years ago -- we took a trip to Chattanooga -- again on a whim-- and were recommended to this little burger joint. At that time, John took the challenge and did well (meaning he finished it) and was immortalized on the walls. Okay - eat a hamburger -- no big deal -- that is until the realization hits that the cooked monster weighs in at 20oz -- and that is just the hamburger patty -- add the toppings and you are looking devouring a meal worthy of a small army. Well -- Jarom boastfully took the challenge. The wait for this monster to cook was about 15 minutes -- Jarom began to doubt himself -- of course it didn't help that John started "talking trash". Did he finish the pound and a quarter cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo and ketchup? Watch and see...
Yahoooooooo! He finished! Even before his dad. Did you notice that he was still chewing the last bite of even at the 48 seconds mark? It actually took him literally over a minute to finally swallow that last bite. The "pants"thing that he mentioned -- that is a father to son hammy down bit of advice -- "if you want to eat more -- just unbutton the top button on your pants". TIGHT tummy. OOOOOOHHHHHHH! John asked him afterwards if he wanted to head off to Golden Corral -- there was no comment made -- but if looks were any indication -- John would have been held over for psych evaluation at the nearest hospital.