This location has become incredibly popular among landscape photographers over the last few years and that popularity pushed me away from wanting to visit, especially during the busy autumn season. As we were planning a spring trip to the Smoky Mountains, we realized that this spot would be a perfect midway point between Colorado and Tennessee. After drifting through the landscape in a kayak for a few minutes, I immediately understood the allure. In the morning and evening, solitude and mystery come together to create a distinctly eerie and yet appealing experience. With Spanish moss dripping from the dense bald cypress trees, knowledge that a thriving population of alligators lives in the area, and common cultural associations with swamps, I experienced a push and pull between relaxing into the scenery and always feeling a little on edge.
