The Southern Appalachia of North Carolina is positively pregnant with rivers, creeks, waterfalls, cascades, lakes and all manner of water both moving and still. In small rushing creeks where lush green vegetation and moss covered rocks frame soft running water, I can lose myself in moments of zen.

A large waterfall tumbles down beside a steep rock wall in the Nantahala Gorge up in the Great Smoky Mountains of the Southern Appalachia.