Wild & Free: Our First Tennessee Adventure

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Why We Chose a Tennessee Graduation Trip

Some milestones deserve more than another wrapped gift.

Graduating from high school is one of them.

This summer, my husband, Alfonso, and I had the joy of celebrating two very special young women—our nieces, Daya and Gaby—as they graduated from high school. As we talked about how we wanted to celebrate this exciting new chapter in their lives, we kept coming back to one simple question:

What will they remember years from now?

Probably not another gift.

But they would remember standing at the top of a mountain together.

They would remember laughing until their sides hurt while tubing down a river.

They would remember trying new foods, exploring new places, and experiencing something none of us had ever seen before.

So instead of giving more "stuff," we chose to give them something we believe is far more valuable.

We chose an experience.

Why Tennessee?

One of the things that made this trip even more special was that none of us had ever been to Tennessee before.

Every scenic overlook, every winding mountain road, every waterfall, and every small-town stop was a first for all four of us. There was something exciting about discovering a new place together, knowing we were all making the same first memories.

We wanted a destination that felt adventurous without requiring an extravagant budget, and Tennessee checked every box.

We were drawn to the beautiful mountain scenery, outdoor adventures, charming towns, incredible hiking, and the opportunity to unplug from everyday life for a few days.

It felt like the perfect place to celebrate two graduates standing at the beginning of their next adventure.

Flying Instead of Driving

Although many families choose to make Tennessee a road trip, we decided to fly.

We booked our flights with Allegiant Air, departing from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Florida. Flying allowed us to maximize our vacation time and spend more of it making memories instead of sitting in the car.

To help keep costs down, we challenged ourselves to pack light, traveling with only personal items and backpacks. It took some planning, but it saved money on baggage fees and proved that you don't need to overpack to have an incredible vacation.

I'll be sharing exactly what we packed—and what we were glad we brought—in a future article.

Choosing Experiences Over Gifts

The older I get, the more I realize that the things I treasure most aren't things at all.

They're stories.

The unexpected laughs.

The conversations during quiet moments.

The shared excitement of seeing something beautiful for the very first time.

Those moments stay with us long after souvenirs have been forgotten.

This trip wasn't about checking attractions off a list.

It was about celebrating family, slowing down, and making memories together.

Our Budget

One thing I hope this series shows is that unforgettable vacations don't have to come with luxury price tags.

We planned carefully.

We watched airfare.

We packed strategically.

We looked for activities that offered incredible experiences without stretching our budget beyond what was comfortable.

Throughout this series, I'll share where we chose to spend a little more, where we saved money, and the travel products that made the trip easier. My hope is that our experience helps another family plan a memorable Tennessee vacation of their own.

Meet Our Adventure Crew

Our Wild & Free Tennessee adventure included four travelers:

  • My husband, Alfonso

  • Our niece, Gaby

  • Our niece, Daya

  • Mariah (that's me!)

Sharing this trip together as we celebrated Daya and Gaby's graduation made every moment even more meaningful. Watching them experience Tennessee for the first time reminded us that some of life's greatest adventures are the ones shared with the people you love most.

A Sneak Peek at What's Coming

This article is just the beginning.

Over the next several posts, I'll take you along for every part of our Tennessee adventure, including:

  • Planning and packing for a backpack-only trip

  • Flying with Allegiant Air

  • Where we stayed

  • Tubing through the mountains

  • Hiking to Rainbow Falls

  • Exploring the caverns

  • Riding the mountain coaster

  • Dinner at Pizza Rio

  • Our favorite moments from the trip

  • What we'd do differently next time

  • The travel gear and essentials that made the trip easier

If you're planning your own Tennessee getaway, I hope this series gives you practical ideas, honest recommendations, and a little inspiration to create your own unforgettable memories.

The Wild & Free Tennessee Series

As each article is published, I'll update this page with links so you can follow our entire adventure.

  • Article 1: Why We Chose a Tennessee Graduation Trip (You're here!)

  • Article 2: Flying to Tennessee with Allegiant Air

  • Article 3: Packing for Tennessee with Just a Backpack

  • Article 4: Our Mountain Getaway

  • Article 5: Tubing Through Tennessee

  • Article 6: Hiking Rainbow Falls

  • Article 7: Exploring the Caverns

  • Article 8: Riding the Mountain Coaster

  • Article 9: Pizza Rio: A Mountain Dinner Worth the Stop

  • Article 10: What We'd Do Again (and What We'd Skip)

  • Article 11: Our Favorite Tennessee Travel Essentials

Whether you're celebrating a graduation, an anniversary, or simply looking for an excuse to spend time with the people you love, I hope our first Tennessee adventure encourages you to choose experiences over things.

Because years from now, it won't be the gifts we remember most.

It will be the memories we made together.

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