Chattanooga, Tennessee Trip – Day 1
Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good adventure and that I am ALWAYS on the go; it’s either a weekend day trip to somewhere fun, a family vacation, camping, or a trip somewhere for kids activities. I can’t forget my kids all time favorite, our annual trip to Kentucky for our family reunion. To put it in perspective, Zeke traveled through 9 states by the time he reached 3 months old!
Despite all the family travel, Chris and I had made a habit of going on adventures just him and I, at least a couple times a year. My schedule working in education, and Chris’s as a campus officer left us wide open for trips during spring break, summer, Thanksgiving, or Christmas break. We were never gone for more than 3 days or so, but it was always so fun. In our short two years we traveled to Las Vegas; Roswell & Ruidoso, New Mexico; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; and countless other places in Texas. We found a love for hiking along the way and loved the peace that the mountains brought to us. After visiting Hawksbill Crag we were so blown away by the beauty that we decided the mountains were where we wanted to retire.
After losing Chris I promised myself that I wouldn’t stop going on adventures just because I would be doing it solo. Chris and I had planned on going somewhere during spring break, but hadn’t yet pinned down a location yet before he passed. I knew that going somewhere during spring break alone was going to be somewhat of a right of passage for me, and something I absolutely needed to do. This was a little daunting considering I had only taken one flight alone ever before, and it was literally just a transfer flight from Houston to Austin after a trip to DC with students. I knew though that I needed to go somewhere not only to prove to myself that I CAN do this alone, but also to make sure I foster that spirit of adventure, feed my gypsy soul, and give myself that time to reflect and heal.
I put off booking something as long as humanly possible; in the counseling world we call this avoidance. I was avoiding confronting the inevitable emotions that would come from making a decision on where to go alone, booking a flight for one instead of two, and making dinner reservations for one. Of course when I finally mustered up the energy to deal with those emotions, it was the week before spring break, I was working with limited available days to travel, a limited budget, and of course was at the mercy of the airlines. After searching my Pinterest boards of places I wanted to go hike, I narrowed it down to three places; Sedona, Arizona; Joshua Tree Park, California; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The flights and budget only lined up perfectly for one choice … I was going to be Chattanooga bound.
Chattanooga was on my “to travel” list because of the beautiful views and hikes. I could probably spend an entire week or more hiking Tennessee if I went to all the places on my list. For this trip though, since it was just two days, I picked to go to Greeter Falls, which is about an hour from Chattanooga, Foster Falls, and Look Out Mountain. I booked the airport parking, flight, hotel, rental car, bought tickets for the incline railway, Ruby Falls caves, and made reservations for dinner and drinks at a local favorite. I managed to show up ON TIME (go ahead and gasp), to the airport and made it to IAH in Houston at the crack of dawn. The flight to Atlanta was seamless, but then came the connecting flight.
I arrived at Atlanta, pulled up the airport map on my Delta app, end quickly scurried to my departure gate. There was only 30 minutes from landing to take off so I knew I needed to hurry. I got to the gate to find there was a slight delay in my connecting flight from Atlanta to Chattanooga. After finally boarding , on this much smaller plane, I found I was sitting right next to someone, which was secretly what I was hoping wouldn’t happen. As I tried to turn on my music to zone out I realized quickly that wouldn’t be happening. I was sitting next to a talkative man in his 40’s who was a pilot, originally from Cuba who talked to me the entire flight. He told me all the things, including asking if I was married, to which I replied “recently widowed”, and then he promptly asked if I was considering dating again. I was caught off guard to say the least. Not that this is the first person to ask me if I will date, or even to go on a date, since Chris’s passing, but the first total random stranger. It always surprises me at how quick those questions come, and how as a society we don’t put an emphasis on giving people time to grieve without an imaginary societal view of a 3 month window being the appropriate time to grieve the loss of a spouse. I was happy to tell him bye as I quickly exited the plane in Chattanooga.
After arriving to Chattanooga I picked up my rental car and immediately headed out to hike. I hiked Greeter Falls first which is about an hour and twenty minute drive from Chattanooga. In my hike there I saw beautiful waterfalls and trails. Some were intermediate, mainly due to the recent rains, but most were beginner. This trail is magical to say the least. Part of the trail includes a spiral staircase on the descent to the bottom of the falls.
After I left Greeter Falls I headed to Foster Falls which was about a 30 minute drive. I was thankful I went there second, because the hike there is steep, but short, if you are just traveling to the bottom of the falls, and my body was definitely feeling my previous hike. Foster Falls was absolutely breathtaking. In the summer people swim in the area beneath the falls, but it was definitely not possible this trip due both to temperature and a high river warning.
After Foster Falls I headed to check into the hotel and clean up for my evening reservation at Stir. In my research of places to try in downtown Chattanooga it was highly recommended. It is an industrial-chic oyster bar that is known for its craft cocktails and delicious food. It did not disappoint and was a great end to my first day of adventuring.
As I sat alone at my table I soaked up the chance to reflect on the day and how far I have come. There was a time in my life, in my early twenties, when I hated eating out alone. I literally refused to do it and would eat in my car before sitting at a restaurant by myself. As I learned to love myself more after divorces, life experiences, and lots of counseling, I grew to love the solitude of eating alone. I vividly remember a conversation with Chris one night, in our 2 month period at the beginning of our relationship that involved simply sitting on my porch, drinking coffee, and talking. He had asked if I had considered dating anyone, or if I just wanted to be single. We had both already expressed that getting married again was off the table for both of us. Doesn’t God have a great sense of humor? My response to him on dating was “I know what I bring to the table, and I’m comfortable eating alone”. He seemed a little blown away by my forwardness, but I explained that I know my value, I know what I stand for and believe in, and I will not deviate. I still stand by these words and I truly mean every one of them. If I’m eating alone from here on out I’m ok with that. I am loved, I know with whom my value lies, and I will use that time alone to be thankful for all that God has provided for me. I will continue to soak up the solitude and savor those moments.
Fear is a Liar 
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