Between the Autumn
Long before the Great Smokies became a national park, its mountains peeked out among clouds of haze. The Cherokee called the mountains “Shaconage”: the place of the blue smoke.

The iconic clouds in the park – on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee – are as important to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as glaciers are to Glacier National Park and Joshua trees are to Joshua Tree National Park. The blanket of haze is part of the draw for the Smokies’ 11.4 million visitors in 2018, almost twice the number at the Grand Canyon.

Along the roads going down the mountain, clouds rolled through the landscape and descended into the forests below. Every twist and turn gave way to a new view of the fog as it crept up, swallowing trees whole.

I live a little over 3hrs from the Smoky’s. I make an effort to journey out and capture the fall foliage at least once through the autumn season every year.

One evening in early November of 2016 I got off from a 12hr shift at 2am and only had 14hrs before I had to be back in the office. Dedicated, I drove straight home to grab my camera gear knowing sleep wasn’t an option and the adventure was underway.

I made great time at that hour and was able to beat the sunrise. I typically have a set plan of where I’m going to shoot, but given the spontaneity of this trip I decided to just drive until my “camera senses” were tingling. Wandering up and down Blue Ridge Parkway I eventually found this smoky colorful scene these mountains are known for during that time of year.

A lot of energy drinks, over 300 miles of driving and two days of no sleep this image was created. I would do it all again if it meant capturing this scene because I love what I do.