I fell in love with Tennessee long before I ever visited the mountainous state as an adult. Throughout my adult years, I have been drawn to the Volunteer State many times. However, before I was enamored by Memphis in May and the musical streets of Nashville, I was in love with Chattanooga.

My mother took my brother and I there when I was a teenager. I graduated from high school young. So even though I completed my first year of college, I was a young adult with a childlike mind. Before our family vacation to Chattanooga, my idea of travel was limited. We’d take a few trips throughout my childhood; attending weddings, reunions, and a memorable trip to Disney World with our church family. I didn’t capture the beauty and importance of traveling until we drove to Chattanooga.

Our few days in Chattanooga changed my perspective on exploring the world. Not only did I learn how to enjoy the wonders of nature but I recognized how much bigger the world actually is. Years later, my time spent there redefined how I would see the world moving forward.

Nature Is The Main Attraction

Red octopus at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga — Photo credit: @tennesseeaquarium/Instagram

Before visiting Chattanooga, the last family vacation I could remember was going to Disney in Floriday at 14. Traveling to Disney had always been a childhood dream of mine. However, the actual experience was stressful. There was a slew of church members, both young and old, loaded into a charter bus. We drove from St. Louis to Orlando. Between the journey down south and manuevering between amusement parks, visiting Disney was overwhelming.

As a teenager, travel was synonymous with stress. However, Chattanooga was a different experience. I was in awe as we drove through the mountains to get to our destination. I found solace and peace as my mom drove down the dark highway.

We stayed in a modest chain hotel. But the area was still underdevelopment so nature still reigned supreme. Everywhere I turned, I saw giant trees, vast hills, and towering mountainscapes. Chattanooga was unlike any place I’d visited back home. However, it also wasn’t like Orlando with its flashy billboards, palm trees, and bustling attractions. Instead, it seemed harmonious with trees and the hilltops. Nature was the main attraction in Chattanooga. Beyond the stunning natural landscapes, many of the excursions my family and I experienced were rooted in the power of nature.

Tennessee Aquarium

Family walking through the caves leading to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga. — Photo credit: @rubyfallscave/Instagram

One of our first stops was the Tennessee Aquarium. I’d been to many aquariums and zoos in my youth. But it was here that my love for exploring the native wildlife species and animal safe havens in destinations began. The Tennessee Aquarium was unique for many reasons. In addition to showcasing the native creatures of the region, there was a slew of exotic wildlife throughout the majestic, riverfront building.

What made the most impact on me as a teenager was the butterfly garden. Hidden in the Tennessee Aquarium, the butterfly garden is like a magical story come to life. Free butterflies fly freely through an array of tropical plants and flowers. Unlike most wildlife exhibits, humans and animals are face to face with no glass barriers. As a teenager, the freedom of the butterflies made me feel free too. I knew after Chattanooga, wherever I traveled to, I wanted to create that same feeling.

Vulnerability and Adventure

Up until that trip, I’d always seen my mother as fearless. She was an ER trauma nurse; a solutions-driven hero. In my mind she could do no wrong. In Chattanooga, my beautiful mother came undone under the mountains.

It all started when we were exploring Ruby Falls. The towering waterfalls live inside of Lookout Mountain overlooking Chattanooga. To reach the falls, visitors have to walk through a lit path inside of a cave. Already amazed by the natural landscape of Tennessee, my younger brother and I were thrilled to explore the cave. But my mother seemed nervous. Her palms were sweating as she gazed around in the dark. She was unsettled and uncomfortable in the midst of our excitement.

Her anxiety reached new heights when we visited the incline railway. We boarded yellow traincar at the small station at the base of the mountain. The ascent was exciting as we road a mile into the air. But it was a pleasant experience for my mom. She was overwhelmed with fright. She wasn’t enjoying the ride and, in my parripheral, I caught her crying briefly.

Once we reached the bottom, she explained to my brother and I that her lack of control on the incline made the experience unpleasant. She continued to cry as she explained how she struggled with control issues and that heading downhill on the railway caused her extreme anxiety. We hugged her and reassured her that everything was okay after she explained to us how important it was to know how to release control.

Exploration is Personal

I realized then that traveling had the power to unveil things within ourselves we might not notice at home. Although exploring new destinations is fun and exciting, it can make fears and anxieties arise that shake us to the core. That’s what happened with my mom in Chattanooga. That experience helped me acknowledge the control issues I was also struggling with. Before that trip, I hadn’t even noticed.

The three of us enjoyed the rest of our trip with few tears and mishaps. However, in Chattanooga I realized that travel was essential to growth and change. I realized how hidden gems in other lands can illuminate wonders. The helped me realize that the more we get to know the world, the more we get to know ourselves.