Johnson City offers beautiful scenery that many students can enjoy. Hiking trails, camp sights and Civil War battle fields are just a few of the Tri-Cities’ outdoor highlights. If you enjoy spending a day outside admiring the world’s natural beauty, then take a drive over to Stoney Creek to visit the Blue Hole.
The Blue Hole is located on Holston Mountain off Panhandle Road. There is a little pull-off to the left of the road where you can park. Just a short hike away are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. During finals week, my friends and I decided to take a break from the books and check it out. After getting lost a few times (I was driving), we parked the car and began walking down the trail. The first waterfall lay below the trail down a slightly steep ravine. My roommate quickly disappeared down the side of the ravine in order to see the waterfall from below. Since it was April, the water was very cold, but my roommate decided to swim anyway. In the seven years I’ve known her I have come to the conclusion that she cannot feel extreme temperatures, so this did not bother her at all. I took the more practical route and made my way down the trail alongside the waterfall.
I was caught slightly off guard when I discovered there was yet another waterfall just a short ways down the stream. A definite Kodak moment, I captured pictures of the water rushing down the waterfall into the shallow pool below.
The stream continued further until all of a sudden it disappeared. I climbed onto a rock next to the stream and was blown away by the sight of a third waterfall.
This waterfall was extremely long and crashed below me into a large swimming hole (hence the Blue Hole). The cliffs around me rose a couple hundred feet into the air leaving me with a sense of just how small I am. My roommate jumped in the water at the bottom of the Blue Hole and swam for about an hour while I took pictures of the scenery.
Unfortunately, not all of our adventures ended flawlessly. My roommate, Leslie, looked down to find her foot covered in blood. She had stepped on a beer bottle that was hidden in the water, a testament to the complete lack of concern some people have for our natural surroundings. I looked at her foot and made the quick decision that we should take her to the hospital for stitches. Two hours and five stitches later, we were finally on our way back to campus.
Even though our Blue Hole adventured didn’t end exactly how we had planned, I know that we will take many more trips there over the next few years.
Visiting the Blue Hole or other hiking trails is a great way to free your mind of the stresses involved with being a college student.
It’s also a great opportunity to hang out with your friends without having to spend a lot of money. Pack a lunch, bring a football and a friend, and go explore the Blue Hole. Just be careful where you step or you may be exploring the hospital!

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