A Perfect Start to Our Journey
This year’s adventure feels especially meaningful because my girlfriend, Cristina, is joining me on the road. I couldn’t be happier or more thankful to share these travels with her—it already feels like a journey full of memories in the making.
Our first stop was Rock Island State Park in Tennessee, and it was the perfect way to begin. We spent the day biking through the park’s scenic trails, enjoying the mix of open meadows and shaded paths. The summer heat made the swimming areas at the Caney Fork River and the natural rock pools feel like a little slice of paradise. In the evening, we finished the day with a cozy campfire, swapping stories and enjoying the crackling flames under a sky full of stars. Simple moments like these are what make the journey so special.
A Few Facts About Rock Island State Park
– The park covers 883 acres at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake
– It is most famous for the Great Falls, a spectacular 30-foot horseshoe waterfall located below the 19th-century cotton textile mill
– The park sits at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers, which makes it a favorite for fishing, kayaking, and swimming
– The area has a rich history—its powerful waterfalls and rivers once powered early 19th-century industry, and today they draw visitors for their beauty and recreation
– It is most famous for the Great Falls, a spectacular 30-foot horseshoe waterfall located below the 19th-century cotton textile mill
– The park sits at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers, which makes it a favorite for fishing, kayaking, and swimming
– The area has a rich history—its powerful waterfalls and rivers once powered early 19th-century industry, and today they draw visitors for their beauty and recreation
As we continue this trip, I already feel grateful for the time Cristina and I are sharing together. Rock Island set the tone: adventure, nature, and quiet moments side by side.
