09/10/2026
When I take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains and Cherokee, North Carolina, it is so much more than a photography trip. Simply being in the mountains and surrounded by wildlife is a privilege. There is something so majestic, peaceful, and pure about being there.
No cell phones. No internet. Just being present and becoming one with nature.
Often, before I even take my camera out, I take a moment to simply stand there and take it all in. This may sound a little corny, but once you are there, it has a way of taking you back in time. It makes you pause, slow down, and sometimes even takes your breath away.
Have you ever had one of those moments when you thought, “I could pinch myself”? If you have, then you know exactly what I mean.
Because of my love for this area, I have also begun studying the history of the Cherokee people and the Trail of Tears. Their story is heartbreaking, but the more I read, the more I can begin to visualize what life must have been like back then—before roads, highways, towns, and cities changed the landscape.
Visiting Cherokee gives you an opportunity to experience not only the beauty of the mountains but also a deeper connection to the history and people who have called this place home.
If you ever get the chance to visit Cherokee, North Carolina, I highly recommend that you do. Take your time, put the phone away, breathe in the mountain air, and simply take it all in. You may find yourself feeling that same sense of wonder—and thinking, “I could pinch myself.”
