A couple of years ago, I realized I had grown a little too comfortable with being… comfortable. Since then, I’ve made it a point to chase after experiences that aren’t so easy. This weekend, that decision took me to Laurel Run Park in Church Hill, TN. The draw? A frozen waterfall, surrounded by mountain laurels, standing like nature’s ice sculpture, its fleeting beauty waiting to melt away.
The hike was familiar, winding up through the folds of Bays Mountain, a place full of memories, dreams, and conversations over the years. But that day, it felt different. The creek babbled softer, the trail crunched with a crust of ice, and the air carried a quiet stillness as if holding its breath before spring’s arrival.
Crossing the icy stones was tricky, but standing before the two-story frozen falls, I forgot the cold. Ice crystals stretched across the rocks, creating delicate sculptures in the laurel folds of Bays Mountain. It felt like time had paused just long enough for me to take it all in.
Stepping out of my comfort zone has a way of making moments like these more meaningful. For me, this hike wasn’t just a trek—it was a reminder that the best rewards come when you’re willing to work for them.
