DARKEST PLACES





EVEN

IN THE

Tucked away from the chaos above,

caves breathe in silence.


fragile,

slow to mend,

and often misunderstood.


People aren’t so different.

Fractures run deep,

and healing takes time.



But what if they could mend each other?

Existing as one of the last unexplored frontiers on Earth, sheltered from the warm sunlight, hailing rains, snow, and lighting of the outside world, caves are natural unexplored beauties of the Earth. And yet, in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia there is a combination of over 24,700 caves according to the National Speleological Society (NSS) right underneath the chaos of human life. Under our workplaces, homes, and roads, they exist, taking thousands of years to form even the smallest formation, also housing some of the rarest creatures.

This huge population of caves is unique to the Midwest and south region in the United States, and although niche, it does not go completely unnoticed. A unique community of around only 10,000 individuals who often refer to themselves as "cavers," "explorers," or even "surveyors" have dedicated their lives, even putting their own on the line, to protect and adventure into these darkest places on earth.

Some find peace, others find excitement, education, adventure. Whatever these cavers are looking for, many have found solace in these places. So I dared to ask the question… why?
Animal Farm Cave Explorer

ANIMAL FARM CAVE EXPLORER

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Starting your journey...
It wasn't until I met Kelly Smallwood, a 48-year-old woman living in the cusp of the T.A.G (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia) caving region in South Pittsburg, TN, that I began to truly understand the extent of caving as a lifestyle.

Kelly once described her life as someone who was living the American dream. After marrying her high-school sweetheart and having a daughter with him, her life was stable and consistent. But also, somewhat repetitive. The excitement of her life was going to the grocery store, and for Kelly, this repetitiveness forced her to look within herself and say,
"I want more."
— Kelly Smallwood
That "more" she discovered was to become a project caver. After joining the Dogwood City Grotto in Atlanta, Georgia, Kelly began to fall in love with not just the excitement of discovering new caves and formations, but also the community of cavers that supported her and helped her find a connection that was partially lost when she and her ex-husband finally separated.
Kelly puts on her knee-pads before she enters into the cave known as "Animal Farm" in TN.
After finding this community and connection that had been missing in her life so long, she took a chance and decided to move to Chattanooga.
"Every time I would come up through Chattanooga and drive over the ridge, it felt like home to me. Nobody in my family has ever moved away."
— Kelly Smallwood
The pull to the caving region was undeniable for Kelly. Though her family initially worried about her move, even if only 2.5 hours away, Kelly felt confident in her decision. The caves called to her in a way that was impossible to ignore.

In Chattanooga, her caving life intertwined with her personal life when she met Jason, who shared her passion. Their relationship grew through shared caving adventures, with Jason often carrying her camera equipment during expeditions. What began as casual dating evolved very real relationship.
"I knew he was a good guy, but I just wasn't ready for it," Kelly recalled about initially pushing him away. "And so finally I was like, okay, fine, let's go on a date. So for us, a date was to go caving. Of course."
Eventually, they built a life together, crafting a custom home in South Pittsburg, TN, right on the side of a mountain cove, as close to caves as they could get. Kelly described the home as containing "blood, sweat and tears," because of how much time and effort they put into building their own new space
“I love Jason because he supports me no matter what it is I want to do. He supports me. He's my rock,"
— Kelly Smallwood
This foundation of support would prove crucial when Kelly faced an unexpected and life-altering diagnosis just three days after moving into their new home.
The diagnosis came after Kelly noticed concerning symptoms. She scheduled a doctor's appointment. During an ultrasound, she could tell something was wrong. "I could see all these colors, like bright colors. And I was just like, it's not right."
"You have cancer."
— Radiologist
The news was devastating. Receiving the news alone at the doctors office, Kelly immediately called Jason, who was at home doing chores. "And of course he was in disbelief," she said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Within two weeks, I had my port installed. And within three weeks, I was on my first chemo."
— Kelly Smallwood
The physical toll of chemotherapy was significant, causing severe nausea, body aches, and fatigue. Kelly kept a journal to track her side effects and learn the patterns of her treatment cycles.
Despite her doctor's advice not to "go home and just sit on the couch" to avoid depression, Kelly was determined to continue caving in some capacity.
 "I've never been one to feel sorry for myself, so I wanted to continue caving. Not the type of caving that I was used to, but I knew I still needed to go underground to feel that connection."
— Kelly Smallwood
She adapted her caving to her physical limitations, focusing on pits that were 100 feet or less and using a special pink rope given to her by a friend. Even fastening a small pillow over the port on her chest, so it was more comfortable to squeeze through the tight spaces in the caves with it still attached to her body.

The caves offered Kelly a mental escape from her cancer battle.
"I didn't want to get myself too deep into a cave or a pit to where then my body would give out on me because my mind's not going to give out on me. But I knew my body could."
— Kelly Smallwood
With Jason's support, she felt safe continuing her passion even during treatment.
"I knew Jason would never let anything happen to me, and he would most certainly help me in any way he could."
— Kelly Smallwood
Following chemotherapy, Kelly faced difficult decisions about surgery and reconstruction. Her initial surgery to remove her breast left her feeling "mangled." After careful consideration, she decided against reconstruction, concerned about the impact on her mobility for caving.
"I didn't want to lose these muscles... these muscles are the ones that allow you to do like this, you know."
— Kelly Smallwood
Beyond physical considerations, she also questioned the aesthetic results and found support in online groups for women who chose to stay flat after cancer.

The process of healing was complicated by radiation treatments, which delayed further surgeries. When Kelly finally found a surgeon willing to "clean up" her chest, she developed an open wound that prevented her from caving for months—"the longest time that I ever went without caving." This separation from her passion was difficult, but she was determined to return.

The cancer experience completely changed Kelly’ outlook on life.
After choosing to "go flat" and have both breasts removed, Kelly struggled with confidence in her appearance. To reclaim her sense of self, she embraced the permanent scars cancer left behind, tattooing a caving bolt and her favorite morel mushroom over them.
"You definitely live life differently after you've had cancer. So many of the little things don't matter anymore,"
— Kelly Smallwood
Working in customer service, she often encountered people upset about trivial matters, reinforcing her new outlook: "There's so much more to life to worry about."

The physical changes resulting from her cancer treatment also prompted Kelly to confront issues of body image and self-acceptance. Initially ashamed and hiding her changed body, she eventually reached a place of acceptance:
If somebody sees it and they have a problem with it, that's their problem.
— Kelly Smallwood
She even came to see her flat chest as an opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer.

During her treatment, Kelly experienced an outpouring of support from the caving community. When she lost her hair, friends secretly organized a campaign to send her hats, which arrived unexpectedly in the mail.
I started getting all these hats in the mail from my friends... I just thought it was wonderful. Like they were all supporting me in that way.
— Kelly Smallwood
These tangible expressions of care deeply touched her, and she kept the hats as meaningful mementos even after her hair grew back.
Now, eight years cancer-free, Kelly acknowledges the ongoing uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
It's always in the back of my mind. I have a pretty high risk—at least 30% risk—of my type of cancer returning at some point in my life.
— Kelly Smallwood
Kelly's cancer experience has also deepened her commitment to education and awareness. She emphasizes the importance of open conversation about breast cancer:
After her "cancerversary," Kelly and her partner took a trip out west to Joshua Tree National Park, where she let herself go—removing her shirt and embracing her flatness in the vast beauty of nature.
Breast cancer is not just your grandmother's disease. It's all of our disease, including men... I think it's important that we're all aware, no matter what age you are, you can be affected by this disease.
— Kelly Smallwood
In addition to raising awareness, Kelly continues to give back to her community through her involvement with the Boy Scouts, taking them caving and rappelling. She also started a YouTube channel to document her adventures, hoping to leave a legacy for her daughter and future generations.
I feel like once I've gone, her and her children and who knows, maybe even my great great grandchildren one day can watch that and be like, that was our grandmother.
— Kelly Smallwood
Just as caves are fragile, slow to form, and often misunderstood, people too can be vulnerable, require time to heal, and be complex in ways others may not immediately comprehend. Yet in the darkness—whether literal or metaphorical—there is beauty, strength, and the potential for growth.
"A lot of what caving is, is mental, You know, sometimes you've just got to dig deep mentally to get through something in the cave as well as in life." -Kelly Smallwood
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