Steve Madden adds photos to this collection weekly, so visit this page often to view and read details about In My Treks featured photos.
All photos in this collection are copyright 2024 Steven L. Madden.
SFP012 October 12 2024
Castle Rock
The sign says Castle Rock…singular. That seems odd considering massive rock formations like this line a half mile of Bird Mountain Trail at Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg TN.
I enjoyed my early fall hike so much I returned three days later to explore Castle Rocks (plural!) again.
SFP010 October 10 2024
Northern Lights in South Knoxville
An amazing late-night image of Aurora Borealis from my neighborhood in South Knoxville TN.
Typically seen in places like Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia, for some reason northern lights were visible in some southern U.S. states in 2024.
They are not necessarily visible with the naked eye. I was able to capture this image because a friend told me where in the night sky to point my smart phone camera.
The camera lens sees what my eyes cannot perceive.
SFP923 September 23 2024
The Arboretum
The brown sign beside I-75 reads:
The Arboretum
State Botanical Garden
After camping at and exploring wonder-filled Kentucky Horse Park, I visited the 100-acre public garden near downtown Lexington.
For five hours, I walked among 1200 native plant species, and captured images of dozens of distinctive plants.
After such a delightful first visit, I intend to return to The Arboretum each successive season.
SFP918 September 18 2024
Walker Sisters Cabin
Margaret Jane King married John N. Walker in 1866 after he returned from the Civil War. They raised a family of eleven children including six daughters who never married.
When Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created, the Walker Sisters were granted a special lease and continued to live on land they inherited from their father. The last unmarried Walker sister, Louisa, died there in July 1964.
You can visit their unique mountain home by walking a short distance from Little Greenbrier School in the Metcalf Bottoms area of the Smoky Mountains.
SFP817 August 17 2024
Silhouette of Jane Bald
Looking NW from Round Bald, a dramatic sky silhouetted Jane Bald at sunset.
I marvel at God’s handiwork each time I visit the Roan Highlands of Upper East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
SFP816 August 16 2024
Cardinal Flowers
Colorful Cardinal Flowers bloomed beside Abrahms Creek in mid August.
Beginning from the Cades Cove trailhead, our small group shared Abrahms Falls Trail with dozens of Smoky Mountains hikers.
SFP809 August 9 2024
Happy Camper
This peaceful scene greeted me one morning while I camped at Panther Creek State Park near Morristown TN.
SFP731 July 31 2024
Morning Noon and Night
I hiked morning, noon and night the last day of July. And I was well rewarded.
First, by this Luna Moth on Will Skelton Greenway in Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area.
SFP731A July 31 2024
Morning Noon and Night
Second, by fields of Sunflowers lifting their florets to worship the early morning sun.
SFP731B July 31 2024
Morning Noon and Night
Third, by this Butterfly and Buttonbush beside a pond along Upland Trail at Seven Islands State Birding Park.
SFP731C July 31 2024
Morning Noon and Night
Fourth, by a spectacular sunset, beginning at Seven Islands State Birding Park.
The western sky became more colorful as I drove toward Knoxville, culminating in this shot of its skyline from James White Parkway Bridge over the Tennessee River.
It was a great day; morning, noon and night.
SFP724 July 24 2024
The Morning After
I camped at Norris Dam State Park. Refreshing rain fell overnight and before noon today, cooling and moisturizing this Summer day.
After lunch, I began my nine-mile trek along Storybook Trail at the east end of Norris Dam.
In the background of this image is the emerald-green reservoir created by TVA’s first dam, completed in 1936.
SFP721 July 21 2024
Church Plant Perhaps
Again this Sunday morning, I thought this would make an ideal setting for nature lovers like me to attend church.
Perhaps I can convince leaders of FBC Knoxville to plant a church at this nearby site in Ijams Nature Center.
SFP719 July 19 2024
Hazard Cave
I could venture no further along Hazard Cave Trail in Pickett CCC Memorial Park near Jamestown TN.
Beyond the cave, the trail was closed due to damage from 85 mph winds on May 26 2024.
Five other trails in Pickett State Park were also closed. I wonder when they will reopen.
SFP709 July 9 2024
Morning Glory
An early morning sky made my neighbor’s garden glorious.
Such splendid sights make morning walks delightful.
SFP704 July 4 2024
Independence Day Night
A nighttime view of Seymour TN from Black Oak Ridge near the end of Independence Day 2024.
SFP704A July 4 2024
Happy Birthday USA!
SFP702 July 2 2024
Clinch River Reflection
Trees near a Weir dam reflected on Clinch River one morning in early July.
Seen from River Bluff Trail across the river from Norris Dam State Park in East Tennessee.
SFP702A July 2 2024