Travel Diary: Fall Creek Falls

Preface

This trip started on August 4th, 2024, and went through August 6th, 2024. My company for this adventure was my mom. It was just the two of us for three days and two nights. My sole mission for this outing was to be outside as much as possible… swimming in the creek and reading in the grass under a tree were on the top of my to-do list. I had been to Fall Creek Falls around this time last year, but nothing could have prepared me for this trip. I say that in the sense that I fell so hard into love for this place in my three days that I wasn’t willing to leave. 

Day One

The first day was magical. Riding into the park with the windows down, my hand out the window, taking in the fresh smell of the forest and creek, I have never felt so alive. My mom and I woke up at 6:30 am to make it to the park by 9:00 am. As stated in the preface, my main goal was to swim in the creek, so that morning as I was getting ready, I put a swimsuit on underneath my clothes. 

When we got to the park, we immediately went to the nature center to trek down the stairs and jagged rocks to come face to face with the creek. It wasn’t quite sunny yet, but that didn’t stop me and a small family from jumping into the cold waters. The mother of the kids was swimming near me and exclaimed that the water was so cold! I looked at her and smiled. I told her I was so happy to be here, I didn’t even notice the coldness. She just laughed. 

I swam in the creek for a while, then I came to a big rock. I decided that this rock would be my friend and a great place to lay down. I climbed that rock and sat on its rough surface. The rock was slanted so it felt that I could slide right off of it at any moment, but I never did. The rock held me with its arms and kept me sitting perfectly still. I was comfortable. I put my head back over the edge and watched the clouds overhead move, exposing the sun. 

(The rock I became close friends with)

My mom came over and handed me my book. I read on the rock, my wet body drying off by the sun, with the sound of rushing water all around me. I was reading Lucretius’ On the Nature of Things. Something I read at that very moment was how Diogenes of Oinoanda described himself as “reaching the sunset of life.” At that moment I knew this trip was special, because even though the sun was rising higher into the sky, I felt I had reached my sunset of life sitting on that rock. 

(Me reading on the rock)

The rest of the day was spent near the hotel. We checked in, settled our things, went to dinner, and walked about the park. My mom and I fell into a comfortable silence on our walks, occasionally commenting on the scenery. We planned our day for tomorrow (our only full day at the park), and then we went to bed. 

I fell into a deep sleep and didn’t stir until the morning, and when I woke up it was as though my life couldn’t get any better.

Day Two

The second morning was better than the first. The sun was shining through the windows and by the looks of it, there wasn’t a single cloud in sight. I woke up with an urge to run. I needed more than anything to get out of the room and be outside. I decided even though I didn’t bring running shoes, I was going to go on a run… keep in mind I do not run, and I haven’t run since high school cross country, but never mind that, I was determined. 

I ran on a trail near the hotel. I was extremely out of breath by the end of it, but I did it. I had just enough time to shower and get dressed. I grabbed a container of strawberries and blackberries with a green tea my mom made me, and we headed out for the day. 

The first mission on the agenda was to go horseback riding. My mom and I saw that there was a stable with riding near the park. It was the Fall Creek Falls Riding Stables. On the trail I fell into a deep love for Tennessee. I was in the back, my mom in the middle, and the guide in the front. This left me to be more introspective, as my mom and the guide talked away. As I rode my horse (her name was Blaze), I had a surge of pride take over me. I felt so grateful (still do) that I have grown up and lived in the beautiful state of Tennessee. The trees might not be as big as some trees in the world, but they are mighty and beautiful. The leaves were so green. Even the mud we rode through had an air of beauty lurking within.

Blaze decided she didn’t like the well taken paths, so she took me through the forest, branches kissing my shoulders, and the early morning dew on the leaves licking my sunburnt cheeks. There is something so majestic about horseback riding in Tennessee, which I don’t think I will ever do justice with words. There is something about the horses and the way you are an extension of the animal. You and the horse are one, working together, to experience the beauty of nature. You look at things differently on a horse. 

(Me riding Blaze)

After horseback riding, my mom and I were on a high. We decided to change into our swimsuits and return to the creek. We swam for hours, the sun warming my body simultaneously as the creek water cooled me off. I was sitting in the creek soaking up the sun, when my mom came over. She said, “Are you just going to sit there in the water and not move?”. This made me laugh. I guess I had been sitting stationary for the past 30 minutes. This was my queue. It was time to leave the creek. So, my mom and I dried off, put on some clothes and made our way to the boat dock. 

(The creek on day two)

At the boat dock, my mom and I debated on what to rent. I said canoes, but she insisted on a paddleboat for the two of us. We ended up taking the paddle boat, which after running that morning and horseback riding… It was a workout to say the least. Our legs were on fire as we paddled onto the lake. After the initial shock to my legs, my mom and I fell into a peaceful rhythm. We mainly paddled a tiny bit and stopped. Letting the water take us. 

After paddle boating, we went back to the hotel and rested. Which meant we went to the hotel pool, went to dinner, showered, sat on our patio, and went to bed. Day two was full to the brim with adventures, but it was never stressful. Sometimes when I fill my plate up too full of tasks, I get overwhelmed, but nothing about that day was stressful. I was completely at peace.

Day Three

I woke up and went on a run again. This time I wasn’t as out of breath, and I managed to get to the end of the trail, only to realize I needed to turn around and run back. I didn’t mind too much though. I knew this would be the last time in a while I would get to run at Fall Creek Falls, so I ran with a smile on my face and took in the beautiful lake. 

(A friend I saw on my morning run on day three)

After my run, I got ready and ate breakfast on the patio. There wasn’t much to day three. I woke up, ran, showered, ate, packed, and left. I was sad to leave. I was fake whining like a baby to my mom, which she found funny. I was laughing too, but my heart was crying on the inside. I knew it would be a while until I could swim in the creek again.

Final Thoughts

My heart is still in Fall Creek Falls, swimming in the cold waters. When I close my eyes, I see myself laying in the grass overlooking the lake, propping myself up on my elbows to watch the clouds transform into shapes right before my eyes. I see the flock of birds playing in the sky, flying from tree to tree. I can still see the fish pop out of the water for air, creating ripples on the water’s surface. I watched these ripples spread out through the water, until I couldn’t see the rings anymore. I still hear the children laughing and jumping into the hotel’s pool. Whenever I close my eyes, I am back. I don’t think I will ever fully leave Fall Creek Falls. It took a piece of my heart within those three days and two nights. I have never known such peace. 

Fall Creek Falls, you are so incredibly loved. I can’t wait to see you again, my dear friend.

With much love and gratitude, 

Jessica Law