When traveling in Western North Carolina, Upper East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and portions of northern Georgia and Upstate South Carolina, the weathered remains of a devastated landscape can be ignored by many, but the sons and daughters of Appalachia find difficulty averting their eyes.
Badger has been encouraged to be upbeat about the recovery process. Six months isn’t long enough for the affected terrain to heal from “the worst natural disaster in North Carolina history” and contiguous states. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint” is a well-worn phrase but one that succinctly encapsulates the mission ahead both for man and nature alike.
One of my ways to ameliorate the pain of this loss is to photograph the mountains in their abject glory. Appalachian Rising is such an effort and you may see this photo again somewhere else sometime soon. For now, you can see it here on KnoxTNToday!
Thomas Mabry – Honey Badger Images
Many of the HoneyBadgerImages are on display at instagram.com/honeybadgerimages.
So much respect and love for “Badger” and his ability to bring truth and beauty to your beaten down but not out, glorious mountains.
Thank you Terry. My work is a mission of love for the mountains and the people of Appalachia – I’ve come home 🏠
I am grateful for your photo journalism of the Helene disaster. You have taken us through the initial destruction, the slow progressions, no matter how small, and continued to show these mountains still have so much beauty! Thank you for seeing the importance of sharing the good, the bad and the ugly!