A beautiful hike leads to an amazing waterfall and swimming hole.
- Dennis
Cummins Falls - Cummins Falls State Park
Cummins Falls Landscape
This is the first of many waterfalls I want to visit this summer. Cummins Falls is located in Cummins Falls State Park which is about an hour and half east of Nashville.
The falls is located at the bottom of a 1.5 mile hike from the parking area. It's a beautiful hike through a nice wooded area down to the river. Once at the river, it's a short 1/4 hike along side and through the river to the falls.
The falls is in a beautiful cove like area. The walls of the falls curve around to form one side of a peaceful swimming hole. The other side is surrounded by boulders creating ample perches for the many visitors that frequent the falls during the summer.
The only downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of people that visit the falls. Due to the beauty of the falls and swimming hole, it tends to fill up with people. On a nice summer day, it can be hard to find a rock to call home for the day. If you want to have your choice or spots, or even have the place to yourself, you need to be there early.
Have you ever been to Cummins Falls? What is your favorite part?
- Dennis
Hike to Angel Falls Vlog
This was the second day of my trip to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. I took a 4 mile hike to Angel Falls to hunt down a photo.
- Dennis
Roaring Rapids - Angel Falls - Two Minute Break
Having a rough day? Take two minutes, sit next to this rapid and embrace the power of Angel Falls Rapids.
- Dennis
Big South Fork River - Angel Falls
Big South Fork Angel Falls
This is Angel Falls at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It's less of a waterfall and more of a rapid, but beautiful none the less.
The falls reside at the end of a two mile hike down a picturesque (and easy) trail starting at the Leatherwood Ford parking area. The trail meanders along side the river providing both views of the river and hillside/cliffside that lines the river.
The falls itself sits at the end of the trail and while it wasn't exactly what I expected, once I sat there for a minute and took in the surroundings I was pleasantly surprised. The volume of water moving through the rapids is impressive. You can feel the power of the water bouncing and swirling around the rocks as it continues to make it's way down stream.
Have you ever been to Angel Falls? What did you think of the hike and falls?
- Dennis
Big South Fork Adventure
Day 1 of my trip to Big South Fork park. Spent some time exploring the park and got to relax by a fire.
- Dennis
Big South Fork River - Two Minute Break
Take two minutes. Sit by this river and just relax.
- Dennis
Big South Fork River
Big South Fork River
I spent a couple hours standing in the middle of this scene and it never got old. The water swirling and playing around my legs was cool and refreshing. The crisp spring air grew a chill as the sun slipped further and further behind the mountains. It was an incredibly connection with the world.
I was only a few feet away from the spot where I took yesterday's photo but it was a completely different experience. Physically having my feet in the water (and the fear my camera meeting a watery grave) made me feel more connected with nature.
Do you feel differences in similar experiences? How does it change your experience?
- Dennis
Bridge to Nowhere - Big South Fork National Reserve
Broken Bridge to Nowhere
I found this bridge in the Big South Fork National Reserve. There's so many things about it that I loved instantly.
It's in a beautiful gorge area, crossing a pristine river, surrounded by forrest.
It looks old and broken, like a flood came through and destroyed it.
And it looks like it leads to nowhere. There's a hint of a trail on the other side but you can't quite make it out. A hint of adventures had a long time ago trapped in a time capsule of nature.
I hung out at this spot and in the shallows of the river for a few hours as the sun sank in the sky. It was an incredibly peaceful experience. Aside from the few people that stopped by, it was just me and nature. The running water and crisp spring air swirling with my thoughts was amazingly refreshing.
Have you ever been to Big South Fork? Where's your favorite place in the park?
- Dennis
Monroe Station, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
Monroe Station Burns Down
This is Monroe Station. It's one of my favorite photos I've ever taken. Monroe Station was built in the 20's, served as one of the first gas stations on the Tamiami Trail, a sheriff's outpost and in 2005 was named a national historical site.
Tragically it was burned to the ground on April 9th after an idiot climbed on the roof and attempted to light paint (lighting steel wool on fire and spinning it) while his friends took photos below.
It's strange to feel sadness for a building that I've only been to a few times in my life. But sitting in the dark in front of this place on a cold January night, looking up at the stars will be a memory I'll keep with me forever.
Have you ever been to Monroe Station? What's your memory of it?
- Dennis