Hundreds of people rush into the water for the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
Hundreds braved cold water for the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
Children build sandcastles during the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
Park manager Marc Malone builds a bonfire for the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
The Winter Bear Plunge mascot greets a young visitor to Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
The Winter Bear Plunge mascot hangs out with first responders at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK
by Denise Etheridge
Sandy Overstreet of Athens took the Winter Bear Plunge on Jan. 3, to check off an item on her bucket list. Sarah Gauthreaus of Labadieville, La., decided that a cold dip in a North …
