Autumn Stillness

Location: Baskins Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park
Photographed June 2, 2012

Autumn Stillness is about finding visual and physical solitude and peace. Peak fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains is a time of madness filled with traffic jams, noisy tourists, and a garish display of color that boggles the senses. I wanted the experience but soon had enough. In a desperate moment, I parked the car, packed some gear, and headed into the woods. After 20 minutes of walking I was completely alone. Then the fog rolled in and peace and serenity enveloped me. I found what I was looking for.

As I was walking out a family passed me and said the fog was rolling in. They hurried along as if a rainstorm was approaching. My heart starting beating faster. The fog came through the woods slowly, seeping into each nook and cranny of the landscape, softly cradling each rock and tree. I stood and watched for a while and then got to work. I never saw another person that afternoon. Just me, the fog, and the trees. This series featured in the LensWork publication Seeing in Sixes II, October, 2017.