Tag: adventure

Piney Falls State Natural Area

Nature, Photography June 15, 2019

I recently enjoyed hiking the 440-acre Piney Falls State Natural Area, located in Rhea County where Little Piney and Soak Creek have carved deep gorges into the Cumberland Plateau. It’s recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, one of fourteen in Tennessee, featuring rare virgin forests.

If you’d be interested in visiting the park, here’s a map:

Note: there are no restrooms or gift shop, and limited signage.

Waterfalls

There are two waterfalls at the park, Upper and Lower Piney Falls.

Upper Piney Falls is 80′ high, the top of which is easily accessible by trail. It features a concave ledge which circles behind and around the falls where visitors can enjoy an awe-inspiring view of the gorge below. Getting to the plunge pool, however, is more difficult; in addition to traversing a narrow trail along the upper rim of the gorge, hikers must then descend a steep, rocky surface, safeguarded to some degree via provision of connected cable for support. Exercise caution!

Here are some photographs of Upper Piney Falls –

Here’s a short video of Upper Piney Falls –

Following the trail down to Lower Piney Falls, which stands 40′ high, hikers arrive at the top of the falls for a picturesque view into a taller, narrow gorge. Unfortunately, there are no trails to access the plunge pool nor lower slopes below, which feature an old growth forest of tall white pines and eastern hemlocks.

Prints

If you’d like a print for your home or office, then please visit my gallery at Pixels. There you’ll discover a variety of options – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood, acrylic – in addition to general merchandise items.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Creek Falls

Nature, Photography June 7, 2019

Part Three – Fall Creek Falls

This is my third & final post highlighting Tennessee’s Fall Creek Falls State Park. I’d recommend this park for anyone interested in hiking and/or photography. Consider planning your visit following a period of rain, so that waterfalls will be robust.

Having enjoyed both Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades, I was ready to continue my journey. Across Cane Creek, I found the trail rough at times, though could soon hear the sound of falling water emanating from the next gorge ahead.

At an impressive 256-feet, Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Here are photographs as I approached the falls & gorge:

Fall Creek Falls, as seen through the trees.
Fall Creek Falls, as seen from a ledge.
Gorge at Fall Creek Falls

Here’s a view of Fall Creek Falls, as seen from the designated observation platform:

It’s difficult to convey the true sense of enormity of this gorge and waterfall, so I’ve included the following photographs of people at the base of the falls. The red arrow shows a woman with a backpack, then a closer view moments later via zoom lens:

Three people visible at the base of Fall Creek Falls.
Woman with backpack at base of Fall Creek Falls.

Before beginning my descent into the gorge, I took a few more photographs from the observation platform:

View of rocky outcropping in gorge.
Fall Creek Falls
Fall Creek Falls, as seen using my zoom lens.

The walk down to the base of the falls was the most difficult stretch of trail I’d encountered at this park, with plenty of opportunities to trip or twist an ankle. Be careful! Here are a few examples, and also a couple waterfall photographs:

Looking back up the trail down to Fall Creek Falls.
Yes, this is the actual trail!
Fall Creek Falls, looking up with a zoom lens.
The base of Fall Creek Falls.

Conclusion

I’ll no doubt be adding more random photographs from my hike at Fall Creek Falls State Park to my gallery at Pixels, over time. In the meantime, stop by for a visit to see some great prints suitable for your home or office!

Enjoy the great outdoors!

Cane Creek Cascades

Nature, Photography June 6, 2019

See Part One – “Cane Creek Falls, Tennessee“

Though I wish that Cane Creek had had more water during my visit to the Fall Creek Falls State Park, in Tennessee, the shallow waterline allowed me an opportunity to traverse into areas which I would otherwise not have been able to explore. With one last look towards the top edge of Cane Creek Falls, I turned to proceed onward.

Facing upstream, now, I enjoyed views which included stacked layers of sandstone outcroppings and high walls, as well as stepping stones scattered across the creek:

Turning the corner, I could see Cane Creek Cascades in the distance, as well as a person walking along the cable suspension-bridge, crossing the creek:

Here are some more photographs of Cane Creek Cascades –

Cane Creek Cascades
Cane Creek Cascades
Cane Creek Cascades

After a pleasant stay, the time had come to continue my adventure hiking Fall Creek Falls State Park. The trail was across the creek, so I walked along the cable suspension-bridge …

If you’d be interested in a print – or other items – featuring my photography from Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee, then please visit my gallery at Pixels. Thanks for stopping by.

Eagle Falls Trail, Kentucky

Nature, Photography May 23, 2019

Road Trip To Kentucky: Part Two

Eagle Falls Trail

Eagle Falls

Located in Corbin of McCreary County, Kentucky, on the other side of the Cumberland River is Eagle Falls Trail, a 1.5 mile trail along cliffs offering some of the best views of Cumberland Falls (see Road Trip To Kentucky: Part One).

I would rate this trail as difficult, insofar as there are several steep changes in elevation – with 133 steps up to Gorge Overlook, now overgrown and without a view – and uneven hiking surfaces, as seen below:

Note: if you’re interested in hiking this trail, plan to arrive early to secure one of only approx. 15 parking spaces. And, don’t forget your camera!

Sights To See

There are many points of interest to enjoy while hiking Eagle Falls Trail, including:

An unusually large growth on tree
Layered structure of rocks
White water above the Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls with observation deck
The trail at Eagle Falls

At one point along my hike, I followed a side trail away from the river and into the forest. When I emerged, it was as if I had stepped back in time – into a ghost town…

Ghost town livery
Ghost town barber shop
Ghost town undertaker
A road through the Ghost Town
Vacant building in ghost town

Back To The Water

Exiting the forest, I returned back to the river which was lined with many large boulders. Rather than rush to get to the waterfall, I enjoyed the scenery for a spell before continuing on my trek…

Boulders along the Cumberland River
Boulders in the Cumberland River

…to Eagle Falls –

Eagle Falls
Eagle Falls
Eagle Falls
Eagle Falls
Eagle Falls

Consider A Print For Your Home

Framed, canvas, art, acrylic, wood, metal – there are several print types available in my gallery at Pixels to adorn the walls of your home, or office! Alternatively, you may select from a variety of other merchandise options in these categories – home decor, lifestyle, beach, greeting cards, stationary, phone cases, apparel and coffee mugs.

Here’s a short video of Eagle Falls…

Consider A Print For Your Home

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

Nature, Photography May 22, 2019

Road Trip To Kentucky: Part One

Cumberland Falls

Known as the “Niagara of the South”, Cumberland Falls features an impressive 125′ wide curtain of water that plunges 60′ into a boulder-strewn gorge below.

The waterfall was named by Dr. Thomas Walker during a 1750 exploration of Kentucky, after the Duke of Cumberland, a son of King George II of England. Additional history of the area can be read here.

Cumberland Falls photographs were shot both at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and along the Eagle Falls Trail (across the river).

Learning of Cumberland Falls back in the mid-1990’s, I traveled to the area for two days of hiking & camping. At that time, I shot photographs using a disposable Kodak camera. Years later – with a better camera – I returned to enjoy the great outdoors!

Cumberland Falls is known as the only location in the Western Hemisphere to have a “moonbow”. If interested in seeing this natural phenomenon, you can check this Moonbow Calendar of dates (weather permitting). Visitors will find ample parking, restrooms, gift shop, visitor center, scenic overlooks, picnic tables, and maybe a musician playing a flute for tourists, complementing the sound of falling water.

Here are some more photographs of Cumberland Falls:

Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls

Consider A Print For Your Home

Framed, canvas, art, acrylic, wood, metal – there are several print types available in my gallery at Pixels to adorn the walls of your home, or office! Alternatively, you may select from a variety of other merchandise options in these categories – home decor, lifestyle, beach, greeting cards, stationary, phone cases, apparel and coffee mugs.

Here’s a video of Cumberland Falls, from a cliff across the river –

Coming Soon ~ Road Trip To Kentucky: Part Two… Eagle Falls

Adventure awaits in Cumberland Mountains

Hiking The Twin Arches At Big South Fork

Nature, Photography April 18, 2019

Part 2

See Part One: Twin Arches At Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Time and weather permitting, you’ll have a great time hiking the Twin Arches! Here’s a short video from under the North Arch…

I also shot several photographs of this interesting geological destination, which are now available as prints in my gallery at Pixels. Here are a few examples –

Hope to see you soon. In the meantime…

Enjoy the great outdoors!

Twin Arches At Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Twin Arches At Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Nature, Photography April 17, 2019

Part One

I recently visited the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, which encompasses 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau – in both Kentucky and Tennessee – and boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs.

With many sights to see, I decided to hike the Twin Arches, described as “the most impressive rock arches in the eastern United States”. The North Arch has a clearance of 51 feet, a span of 93 feet and its top deck is 62 feet high, while the South Arch has a clearance of 70 feet, a span of 135 feet and its top deck is 103 feet high.

North Arch
South Arch

Here’s a video taken at the South Arch…

A sign at the park provided this description as to how these arches were formed:

Weaker layers of sandstone form the base of the nearly vertical walls of this narrow ridge. The weathering of these erosion-susceptible layers caused sections of the wall to fall away, forming shallow rock shelters on both sides of the ridge.

The collapse and shelter enlarging process continued until two “windows” in the narrow ridge were formed. This opening enlarged until it reached the stronger and more erosion-resistant sandstone layer of rim rock that caps the Twin Arches.

A cave was situated under one end of the South Arch, so I entered to discover that there was an exit at the back, albeit a narrow passage at approx. 18″ wide. Footprint-impressions in the sand from hikers provided some assurance that the cave was empty – no bats or bears. But, watch your step & don’t bump your head!

Here’s a short video as I entered the cave…

The top of the arches are one contiguous surface area, accessible by stairs, though the South Arch has additional areas visitors may ascend so as to attain the best view:

At the pinnacle, scenic views were truly spectacular on this fine day – unique walls of eroded sandstone, mountains and valleys lined with trees, and an interesting cap-rock area to walkabout. Here are a few examples:

Here’s a video of the surrounding environment –

Partial Map of Park

The only complaint I had while visiting the Twin Arches is Divide Road. As soon as you leave TN-154, you can expect to travel for nearly 5 miles along a gravel road which is narrow with frequent & deep potholes, many hidden by shadows from trees lining the road. So, to be safe, I drove this stretch at less than 10 m.p.h..

Keep in mind, however, that the most impressive sights to see at the Twin Arches are at ground level. So, stay tuned for Part Two…

Textured Orange Courier Bag

Abstract, Products April 13, 2019

This fashionable courier bag is made by Rickshaw Bagworks in San Francisco, California, and is available in 4 sizes. It’s both water resistant & extra durable (machine-washable) – a powerhouse of versatility, perfect as a workday commuter, overnight attaché, or travel bag. It features several storage compartments, and the colors (interior binding) can be customized to your liking. Enjoy!

Upper Meigs Falls

Upper Meigs Falls

Nature, Photography March 28, 2019

Located along Little River Gorge Road (State Highway 73) in the Smoky Mountains near Townsend, Tennessee, is The Sinks, a popular roadside waterfall. Parking is available, though limited – so plan to arrive early.

The Sinks

This is the trailhead for Meigs Creek Trail, which, at a distance of 2 miles, features the picturesque 18′ Upper Meigs Falls –

Upper Meigs Falls
Upper Meigs Falls

Along the hike, it’s necessary to cross the creek several times, stepping on stones and walking across logs to keep dry. So, you’ll probably want to carry (or locate) a walking stick to use for balance. Caution: damp surfaces and moss may be slippery.

Here’s a video taken at the base of Upper Meigs Falls –

Upper Meigs Falls

Enjoy the great outdoors!

Mountain Landscape

Mountain Landscape

Nature, Photography February 6, 2019

This landscape photograph features a rocky outcropping on House Mountain, located near Knoxville, Tennessee. The mountain stands 1000′ above the surrounding valley. It has two different trails to the top, leading to a 1.5 mile ridge extending from end to end, which offers wonderful panoramic-views. The scene here is located along the White Trail which finishes at the West Overlook.

If you’d be interested in a print, then visit my gallery at Fine Art America. Enjoy!

Abstract Stripes Thermal Tumbler

Abstract Stripes Thermal Tumbler

Abstract, Products February 6, 2019

This thermal tumbler has double-walled construction to keep your warm beverages warm and your cool beverages cold, all while keeping your hands comfortable. The low profile lid snaps tight to help prevent spills and the padded bottom gives extra grip so you can sip safely. It holds 12 oz. of liquid in a sleek cylindrical shape, with a stainless steel body and plastic lid. Fits most standard cup holders.

Enjoy!

Remote Programming

Remote Programming

Graphics, Surreal October 16, 2018

Pondering an opportunity to audition for a new season and armor-clad with shield, this knight traveled a long distance to the set of an adventure program without viewership or color…time to hire a new agent!

You won’t have to travel very far, however, to enjoy this black and white collage. Simply visit my galleries at Fine Art America, Redbubble and/or Zazzle.

Sci Fi World Spiral Notebook

Sci Fi World Spiral Notebook

Products, Science Fiction May 30, 2018

Enjoy this 6 1/2″ by 8 3/4″ spiral note book, featuring a star-filled cosmos glowing in the background of a mysterious, icy planet. This notebook is a great way to show off your personal style and keep track of important notes and appointments all at once. And, it makes a great gift for the young student in your family! Contains 80 black & white lined pages, college ruled.