Spring Approaches (Rock Island State Park & YMCA Trail)

Some of Spring's first frilly Daffodils Cookeville, TN

   Winter is over. It seems like the seasons keep breezing by quicker and quicker as the years pass us by, making the appreciation of 'now' evermore sweet. Any chance to be outside is well-appreciated recently, even more so as the weather warms. 

   One of my favorite parts about winter ending is being able to watch the earth slowly wake from her slumber. It seems like she almost yawns and stretches, with the way the sun begins to shine brighter, and the green buds. My recent adventures have been brief (between having 2 jobs & helping manage a non-profit, free time is scarce) but sorely needed, as the sun kissing my cheeks & shoulders warm a part of me I didn't know was cold. 
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Two of my most recent adventures involve two vastly different parks. First up was a re-visit to Rock Island State Park & the Downstream Trail, then following was my most recent walk on the Mt. Juliet YMCA Greenway. One is a day-long adventure, with the morning trek south and subsequent exploration being an hours-long event. The latter is a revisitation of my old routine, an old friend I've come to love but haven't caught up with in recent months. 

Twin Falls, Rock Island State Park, Tennessee

Rock Island State Park

   It's difficult to decide where my favorite spots in Tennessee are. There's always another beautiful spot, another waterfall, lush landscape, tiny treasure to find. Rock Island State Park may just be one of my favorites, simply because it's such an accessible park. From beautifully maintained old spring houses to picnic spots to trails that will have you working up a sweat, it seems this park has it all. 

   Rock Island State Park is nestled in Rock Island Tennessee, and is just under 2 hours away from the center of Nashville. A perfect getaway from the city's chaos for the whole family, there is an easily accessible waterfall, picnicking, and an adorable cabin rental just down the road from the Downstream Trail. There are fishing challenges at the marina, and the area is home to a cast of friendly locals. 

   The Downstream Trail is rated as Moderate on AllTrails, and is an out-and-back trail coming in at just under 2 miles. This trail is NOT ADA-accessible, so those with mobility aids please take care! The trail greets you with a gravelly decline down to the soil trail. The trail itself is mostly flat, with a few inclines along the way. There are 2 very shallow stream crossings, which make a lovely backdrop for photos (I took my 26th birthday portraits here!) and a beautiful cave behind a small waterfall you can explore. Twin Falls is the main attraction, but as you explore further down the trail you'll find scenic spots to sit and enjoy the landscape and flowers galore. 

A turn in the River, Rock Island State Park, Tennessee

   At the turn in the river, I sat on a rock and...let the world in. It's the moments of serene calm in our lives that we seek, and some even go so far as to chase them through difficult terrains and strenuous exercise. Moments of perceived stillness, even as the world and time flows around you. Life becomes so much faster after your school years, and at times seems as if blinking would spend all your time on earth. The work we do, people we see, the love we cultivate, it all takes precious moments of our time. These things, I think, are what makes time well-spent. Still, the fleeting moments shouldn't all be spent on active things. It's absolutely necessary to have time to just be. 

An Old Silo, YMCA Trail, Tennessee

Stones River YMCA Trailhead

   Nestled near a Target and the Mt. Juliet YMCA lies a quiet path that is perfect for a post-work walk. In fact, it's always a treat when I remember that just a few minutes from my office there's a perfect walking trail with just the right amount of people and nature. One of my favorite ways to experience the changing of seasons is to consistently walk in one space, so you notice all of the little changes the year brings. 

   The YMCA Trail connects to another greenway, but on its own it weaves through forest, fields, and an old neighborhood with an abandoned cottage & silo. There is always something new to discover, from Bradford pear petals dotting the ground like snow, to new mushrooms popping up after a rain. The path is paved, and while it is technically mobility aid-friendly, there are some hills which make the path difficult to navigate for non-motorized wheelchair users. 

An Incline, YMCA Trailhead, Tennessee

   If you're ever in need of a new walk in the Mt. Juliet area, I'd give this one a try. Walking from the parking lot to the greenway connection is a little over a mile, which makes for a lovely wind-down after a day of sitting in the office. If you're luck enough to catch the trail in the twilight when there are few people, you may even come face-to-face with a deer!                                                                                        

Red Deadnettle, YMCA Trailhead, Tennessee

   No matter how many times I visit a place, it seems that there are always new changes to greet me. With how the world moves, I don't think I'll ever tire of visiting gorgeous areas, finding new treasures, experiencing the way the world changes. In your daily commute, do you take time to notice the way it changes? New flowers lifting their faces to the sun? 

  Dear reader, I hope that this spring you take some intentional time to really look at the world around you. Life is so fast, so busy. It won't hurt to slow down and take it in for a bit. 

Dead flowerheads, YMCA Trailhead, Tennessee