The Icy Fingers of Winter Take Hold at Wildcat Rock

A few days ago, I went on a wonderful hike along the Wildcat Trail in the Hickory Nut Gorge with my daughter and her boyfriend. This is one of my favorite photos from the hike. I loved the interplay of the patterns created by trees and the ice-covered rock face. Part of the walk was a bit challenging, as ice carpeted a section of the trail, but it was well worth going slowly and taking care to get through that section and get a better view of the icy rock faces along the trail. Winter hiking can be a bit treacherous, but it did feel a lot like the times we are navigating. If we take care, we can keep ourselves safe and still find beauty in the moments we are able to experience. The starkness of life can often paradoxically make us feel more alive too, or at least grateful for our health and still being here to endure through these challenges. Besides the expansiveness of the rock faces, there were areas where the rocks felt more claustrophobic too and where I could see how the pressures of opposing forces created the geological shapes. Throughout the pandemic, by work has oscillated between close up shots that reflected my feelings about being quarantined and more open vistas that gave me the space to breathe and keep hope alive. Below are some additional images from along the trail.