Benton Falls 2012

Over Spring Break 2012, my friend Jesse and I decided to take off to the Cherokee National Forest and hike towards Benton Falls. On our way we experienced some of the most extravagant scenery, along with a snake encounter! Luckily neither of us got bit, although I think my dog Kiz managed to get bit from being overly excited. After making it to the Falls and enjoying the day, we ran into some Search and Rescue Team members. They had four dogs with them and everyone got a long wonderful and I showed them a picture of the snake, the man said, "That is a Tennessee Water Snake". Listening to their stories really made my day! Very thankful and grateful to be able to walk with my own two legs. We got in around six miles or so today! Anyways, we learned a lot and I enjoyed every moment of it!

           

Hope you Enjoyed!!! Have a Blessed Day!

A Stroll Through The Woods

When I woke up Sunday, Feb. 26, I had a good feeling that the weather was going to be nice, so I decided to hurry on out towards Tennessee's Hiwassee River. I'm actually blessed to breathe another day, so thanks God for granting me another wonderful aspect of life! Now, when I got out to the bottom of the trail, I remembered that I had set up a tree-stand about three years ago for Archery Hunting. So my day now consisted of finding that tree-stand. I have posted a video of my ENTIRE DAY in a nutshell. I did take breaks from filming so I could enjoy nature genuinely. For the most part, it was a good day and I obviously sped up the footage in order to piece this together so forgive me for the SHAKINESS. Please watch, enjoy, and let me know what you think!!!!!

Leaves of Fall

When the day is as beautiful as one like this, how inviting nature becomes. The power of the wind blowing against you and the sun showing its presence make a wonderful time to hit the mountains! If there is a time in life one may question how we live, it's simply right in front of our faces. Gods Omnipresence is awesome and evident that He created the world with such a beautiful environment which allows us to breathe. There are days I feel extra energized and like to think of myself as a Rambo-wannabe. Instead of walking, I will run and jump over logs and climb up rocks until I run out of breath. I'm just thankful to have both of my hands and feet to enjoy life the way The Lord has allowed me to. I say, "take it moment by moment, day by day and praise the one who has given you this day".

Lookout

Sideways

Skyview

Rocky Road

Ridgeline

Cabin Fever

River

This is on privately owned land, and you can only get to it by a four wheel drive starting at the top of a mountain. It's a beautiful piece of land that I am grateful for being invited to. There are many trails that lead to open fields and pass through small creeks. My favorite part is at the very bottom where the cabin is and this river. Much hunting goes on here as well as hiking and four wheeling. After an eventful night at my friends cabin, we all would wake up to laughter, strange noises, some sort of storytelling and head to the river for some fishing. Such an amazing place, seriously. 

The Calm

Memory Lane

Monroe Falls

Oh what a wonderful part of Gods Country this is! After being in school all day, my high school friends and I would load up the vehicles and park down the river at a pull over spot. We then would cross the river to a trail that actually leads to MANY beautiful river locations, but this one in particular is where we always ended up. There is nothing better than swimming on a hot summer evening with friends! Monroe Falls holds a special place in my heart that still to this day I take trips there. This picture was taken in Summer 2011 when my brother Zack and I started our hike in an entire different direction. After going through many creeks and catching three frogs, we found ourselves at this familiar rock. When we began our journey I had no idea I was headed down memory lane!

Smallmouth

This is a bass I caught one evening at the Monroe's.

Fowlers Ferry

Foster Falls

Right off the New River Trail, an outstanding place to do some hiking. I was off the trail one evening and came to this spot. By now you know I like to fish so I usually carry my supplies with me. I caught a few small mouth bass and just enjoyed the environment. After getting back on the trail I passed several horseback riders and many mountain bikers! This place is near an attraction called Foster Falls where many people kayak and camp! Near Wytheville, Virginia, an ideal place for a family picnic or hike!

Hiwassee

Hiwassee River

Here is a picture of a particular fishing and camping spot I often go to. It isn't too far off the path which makes it easy to access and carry all of your supplies. My friends and I decided to go fishing one day but everyone wanted to fish near the boat landing. I had a good sense that a big catfish was going to be caught that night so my friend Abby and I came to this spot away from the dock. After we set up two fishing poles with chicken breast as bait, I thanked the good Lord for blessing me with the opportunity to enjoy a place such as this. We brought the game "Catch Phrase" and played while waiting on something to bite. I called my friends back at the boat dock to see if they had any luck yet in which they had not. Not many minutes later I glanced over at one of the rods and the tip of the rod was nearly touching the water. "This is it!" I said. Automatically I began to reel my line and could tell it was a large fish on the hook! Abby started yelling, and I was saying "thank you Jesus" time after time. It took around ten minutes to get to the rocks, but we had done it!

Betsy Ross

After I got her on the stringer, we took a few pictures then called the other guys. They didn't believe I had caught one so we went to prove it to them and ended up naming the fish Betsy Ross. When we arrived on campus that night we were all making predictions on how much we thought the fish weighed. Turns out it was 19 lbs. Wow! What a priceless event.

Tangerine Sky

This is the sunset I experienced after a day on the trails! It is apparent the dark night will soon arrive and the moon would eventually take over the sky for some brief time. The picture does not justify what true emotions are at stake here, but I hope you like what you see!

Take Me Home

Hebron

After a long day of exploring in Wythe County, Virginia I was on my way home and stopped by a place where I hunt. Nearby are family members and friends homes. This particular spot caught my attention so I did some praying and meditating while waiting on the extraordinary sunset view off to my right. Honestly, my body was already worn out from being on my feet most of the day but my inner being lead me here for a successful resting place on my way home.

Little Reed

Canoeing

This was taken on a Sunday in Summer of 2010. My friend Granger and I decided to do some canoeing down the Little Reed River. During this day we had plenty of time to kick back, so we thought... After getting through the first bend we found ourselves constantly rowing as to which we came up with a system of yelling "row left!" or "row right!" This worked for a while until we encountered many rough rapids. Let me say that the rapids got the best of us, we lost most of the cooler, fishing supplies and I learned to never take a cell phone while in the river. After this incident we sailed smoothly for maybe half an hour. Next we flipped the canoe numerous times as a result of high rapids and other factors. Much beautiful wildlife and ultimately nature itself captured this day to wrap up an amazing canoeing experience!

Ancient Paradise

Pilot Mountain

Here Kitty Kitty

Santee Cooper

Back Woods

Coal Creek

Pilot Mtn.

Pilot Mountain, NC

Oh Caroline

One evening as I was scouting deer, I looked towards North Carolina and noticed the sky along with Gods Country so I took this incredible shot of the sun setting near the border line of Virginia. As I looked out across the Appalachian Mountains I thanked God for another day of His beautiful creation. While in this particular area I encountered many different wildlife species including approximately twenty deer.

Trout Fishing

An excellent creek to trout fish in. Out off a trail on Gardeners Mill Rd in VA. It is a privately owned spot, so I should say I'm blessed to be able to go here! Beautiful Rainbows and Brown in there!

Over The Ridge

This was taken on a day as soon as I got off of work. Headed to the top of Stoots Mountain in the Fall.

Cumberland Knob

Hiking the STRENUOUS TRAIL off the Blue Ridge Parkway at a beautiful place called Cumberland Knob. A day full of sweat, a bee sting, friends and of course, great scenery!
Sorry so bad quality, it's was off the mobile device.

Morning Hunt

This is during Archery Season in VA one morning before getting to the stand. Spotted four Doe that day.

Pilot Mountain, NC

One Sunday evening I planned on going up to Pilot Mtn. and so I did. Lots of tourists were there along with some Rock Climbers! A beautiful place to be. Thanks God.

The Outdoor Life Show

CHECK OUT THIS HUNTING VIDEO!

This is a short video I put together for a class. It's filmed in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Thanks a lot!

Beautiful Hike in Carroll County

My dog Kiz and Myself decided to go on a random hike one day in Carroll County, Virginia. Four Hours later we encountered a Cabin and turned around.

Crooked Creek

Near a Fee Fishing area in Virginia.

Evening walk on The New River in VA

My Cousins and I took a walk down the New River. It was another way to sum up our Grandmothers 80th Birthday!

Stoots Mountain, VA

I've been going to this spot since High School. I used to canoe here a lot. A wonderful place to fish!

One of my Meditating Spots

If there is a day I may be feeling down & out, this is my place to be! You can see the New River Trail on the opposite side where many Bears have been spotted.

Random spot I found while exploring in VA.

Near the Ocoee River

What a wonderful hike it is once you get there. I believe it's over a mile to the waterfalls. Near the Ocoee River in Tennessee.