John Guider’s Duck River Journey

 John Guider, an acclaimed Nashville photographer and environmental advocate, is embarking on a monumental canoe journey, traveling the full 265-mile length of Tennessee’s Duck River, one of the most biodiverse rivers in the world. His journey aims to raise awareness about the Duck River’s environmental crisis, worsened by drought conditions, and to document its unparalleled beauty through his award-winning photography. 

Stay tuned to this page for live tracking, photos, and journal updates from John!

John's Journal & Photo Logs

10/14/2024: (From Jess) The documentary crew and some folks from Maury County joined John near Kettle Branch. They are filming for the evening and camping overnight before joining John on the river Tuesday. Everyone has been incredible in supporting John's trip and the Duck River!
10/12/2024: (From Jess) John arrived in Columbia and we hosted a community rally and press event! We are grateful for the community in Columbia who came out and assisted with everything to make sure the event went smoothly. Watch John speak at the event here: https://youtu.be/kpcCc2sEeMo
10/9/2024: I was physically worn out yesterday but today I feel better. I'm about 35 miles out now and it looks like Columbia is a good reach by Saturday.
10/8/2024: (From Jess) Our team met John at Milltown Dam to help with portage and we were in for a little challenge here. It wasn't as straightforward as the maps made it seem! BUT, we managed! John managed to get back on the river and messaged a short while later to say: "Stopping for the day. All is well thanks to you guys!!! Let's see how far I get tomorrow and we can figure out Columbia. I will try to make it on Saturday."
10/6/2024: Another beautiful sunrise. Last night, a flock of wild turkeys roosted in the trees surrounding me. It was an incredible sight too dark to photograph, but a memory I’ll cherish for a long time.
10/5/2024: Can’t believe how quiet and peaceful my new campsite is. Just the trickle of water from the shoals and the warm glow of the afternoon sunlight makes it feel more like a spa treatment than a canoe journey.
10/4/2024: The river continued its beautiful prehistoric circuitous path. The only distraction was from the roads that followed nearby. The clear water coming from the dam started to turn a thick camouflage green. I don’t know if it is natural or runoff from the farms, but nevertheless, a few fishermen I met seem to be happy with their catch. Tomorrow will be my third portage. Mona is going to come down and help me get around Shelbyville. Then, it will be free paddling for a long while.
10/3/2024: Getting close to sunset, found a very remote spot that should be secure for the evening. The Duck is amazing. The banks are so high. It feels like you are in a primitive setting. There’s just nothing to see except river and limestone banks and trees, very peaceful, very beautiful.
10/3/2024: (From Jess) Today, Daniel Boone from Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association and I met John to help him portage his canoe from Normandy Dam to the Duck River. It was great to see him in person. We had a film crew with us thanks to PBS Nashville, and we can't wait to see the documentary they're putting together about John and his journey!
10/2/2024: Evening Update: Weathered fossils line the stony riverbanks, reminding me that this was once part of a giant inland ocean. Then it became a freshwater river and now it’s a lake. I wonder what’s going to happen next.
10/2/2024: Normandy Lake is surrounded by a seemingly continuous forested hillside. Lots of bays. It’s easy to get turned around. Very peaceful and beautiful.
10/1/2024: Calm, quiet morning along the headwaters of Normandy Lake. Just me and the critters.
9/30/2024: Lovely day setting into the Duck. Quiet and peaceful. At the headwaters of Normandy dam. Beautiful surroundings and a perfect campsite.
9/25/2024: Yesterday we scouted the Duck for the best put in upriver and decided on Powers Bridge Road access. Beautiful spot but shallow water. May have to pull the boat a ways.

All photos © John Guider | 2024

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The Start of the Journey - taken at Powers Bridge Road, Manchester, Coffee County, TN
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The Journey is Underway - taken near Perry Road, Coffee County, TN
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First Night's Camp - Coffee County, TN
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First Night's Sunset - Coffee County, TN
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Day 2 Morning Mist - Coffee County, TN
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Natural beauty along the river.
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View from my last campsite on Normandy Lake, tomorrow I'll take out and get portage to the river below - Normandy Dam
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Normandy Lake is surrounded by a seemingly continuous forested hillside. Lots of bays. It’s easy to get turned around. Very peaceful and beautiful. - Normandy Lake
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Last night camping on Normandy Lake
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Early morning calm. Fishermen are already out. Last day on Lake Normandy. A beautiful experience.
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Camp for the night on the Duck River - near Hooser Bend, Bedford County, TN
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Near Green Island, TN on the Duck River.
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Another beautiful morning. Feels like going back in time.
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Caves along the high cliff banks. Near Shelbyville, TN on the Duck River.
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Can’t believe how quiet and peaceful my new campsite is. Just the trickle of water from the shoals and the warm glow of the afternoon sunlight makes it feel more like a spa treatment than a canoe journey. Near Shelbyville, TN on the Duck River.
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Another beautiful morning. Feels like going back in time.
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Barbie along the river! I promise you I did not plant it there.
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Campsite number seven. Stopped in the nick of time only about 15 minutes of sunlight left. So far I’ve gone over 65 miles and I am about a quarter of a way there. Woo hoo.
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Nighttime
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Quiet evening on the Duck. Just me and the critters.
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Lovely day on the Duck. Easy river, spectacular scenery. Duck River, Columbia, TN.
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Snake on the water. Great day. Peaceful and quiet. Now it’s time to pause and relax.
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Found another cave I’d like to explore someday. That circular hole in the ceiling has me baffled.
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Moonrise after a very special day in Columbia! Thanks to Jess and everyone else who made for such a wonderful gathering!
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Day 14 on the river. The Duck is much wider now, and the banks are not as high. Still a scenic and special place to be.

NEWS & MEDIA

John Guider Wants to Save the Duck River

The photographer and conservationist will soon launch a three-and-a-half-week journey down the endangered waterway.

By Jim Myers
Published: Sep 25, 2024, Nashville Scene

Read the full article on Nashville Scene