nature
The Science and Nature of Wanderlust, tourism, landmarks for nature buffs and more.
"Lets hit the trails!!!"
Greetings from Roselle :) My name is Antoine and I just turned 30! What an age to turn for me because I feel it is when we have no choice but to become an adult and take our lives more seriously. No kids yet, but I have an elder in my life that I look after which can be challenging at times. If you can relate, elders can be challenging at times because they seem to have learned a lot of what we have to experience, like it or not, which makes them seem stubborn when you feel right about your own decisions. However, we still have to live through those experiences. Life is a journey! It just goes on and on by the grace of god as we live and we learn. Learning to love every bit of it considering that we only live once and with so much creativity we can make it very exciting which leads to my latest venture. One day, I decided to start biking! After all, seems like the law of attraction was just throwing them at me every time I turned around. I found out it's one of the best forms of transportation as well as just to get out and explore in all while getting nature. It's also one of the best ways to get some exercise and strengthen your quadriceps!
By Bynuma 5586 years ago in Wander
- My Temple -
One of my favorite ways to clear my mind is by going on a walk. There’s something about being on my own in nature, forests especially, that allows me to relax and lift my spirits. Almost like a type of therapy. The forest is my place of peace, my temple if you will. Whenever I feel sad, lost, or like I’m at a crossroads, I either go for a run in the woods or I just walk. I’ll look around marveling at the beauty of the world and its incredible resilience over the millions of years it’s seen. Almost like the world sets all my struggles into perspective. I’ll walk and walk and then stop occasionally to admire a certain tree, view, or flower formation. What always stops me in my tracks is the wind rushing through the leaves, making the trees sway back and forth, rattling every big and small leaf. The way that same breeze hits my face and blows through my hair, the cooling touch gently piercing my skin sending a light shiver down my spine. If my soul could have a sound, that is it. The sound of the wind rushing through the trees. I just stop, close my eyes, and take a breath. At the end of my walk, it feels like whatever I was dealing with has been solved... Okay maybe not. But it certainly feels lighter and more bearable. I open myself up to the world and it gives me answers in the form of breezes, butterflies, and flora.
By Letters from Juliette6 years ago in Wander
How to discover Firefly Valley Leisure Park in Kota Tinggi
Experience the magic of fireflies, a rare sight for city folk, within the verdant confines of the Firefly Valley in Kota Tinggi. Easy to reach from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, Kota Tinggi is home to two such parks famous for the natural firefly phenomenon. The trip to the park over a weekend is a popular activity not to be missed; read on to learn how you can plan a weekend trip to explore Firefly Valley Leisure Park in Kota Tinggi.
By Aurora Gianna6 years ago in Wander
Stuck In Concrete
As quarantine and isolation keeps us contained within our walls, I’m witnessing a whole new world form just a few feet away from me. Sitting by my window, I’m unsure if it’s a different lens or perspective I’ve formed, or the fact that nature is truly showcasing its honest beauty.
By Craig Miranda6 years ago in Wander
Sa Pa: trekking through north of Vietnam
If you liked my first contact with Vietnam, you will love this second part of the trip. For me, it was the most anticipated. To go to Sa Pa, the rural region of northern Vietnam, it takes 8 hours by train. To take advantage of the time, it’s usual to go on a wooden night train. It moves more than a tractor on a dirt road and the beds are a little uncomfortable. To give you an idea, even motorcycles can overtake the train for the first few kilometers.
By Astarothkuu6 years ago in Wander
Season's Beauty
It was a cold Winter evening when I discovered the sun setting under an old stone bridge in Mountain View, Arkansas. Not only did the timing of the evening play a role, but the celestial timing set the sun's placement just right. To get the shot, I needed to get into the water. Yes, it was cold, very cold, but I couldn't resist. I had visited this bridge several times during the summer but its placement in a gully makes for seeing the sun set in the evening impossible. However, with the Winter trees shedding their leaves, this rare shot came to fruition. Over the course of the remaining Winter months, I found this photo inspiring. In what normally was a cold and dreary day, the timing of the sun's setting under the bridge was a warm reminder that beauty can be found anywhere as long as your heart is willing to look for it.
By Scott Slauson6 years ago in Wander
Into The Woods
Beyond the walls. Beyond these rivers of asphalt. Lies a world beyond imagination. As I took my first steps, I felt the weight of my pack biting into my shoulders trying desperately to pull me backwards when my goal lies ahead. Stumbling for an instant I felt my legs regain their composure as they yearned for the adventure that awaited them. The sounds of chirping birds filled the moist air and the distant rumbling of a waterfall beckoned me into the wilderness. We set off into the mountains, all thoughts of society dispersing like the morning fog on a hot day. I lead the charge along this narrow dirt trail, my family close behind me. Every step lead to another, every breath a reminder of the simple joys we take for granted. Through winding hills and over rushing rivers I found my focus drawn to the animals around me. Lizards scuttling around my feet, bees buzzing beside me, and the birds soaring above. I felt at ease knowing that at this moment, I was just like them. Soaking up all of the sounds and smells and sights around me. Feeling my way through this beautiful wilderness that they call home. With no thoughts of work, school, or society I felt at peace knowing that I was, in essence, no different than the ant walking beside me. As we ventured further into the hills the earth beneath us began to shift from dry grass to small shrubs, from small shrubs to trees and back to grass. Each valley filled with a unique display of evolution calling out for you to recognize its diversity and beauty. We began to see pools of fish throughout the river, small at first but growing in size as we scaled the mountains before us. As the sun began to rise above us, we seemed to slip once again into a spectacular new world. Snakes emerged to bask in its warmth, blessing us with their presence along our journey. With the heat and presence of more wildlife we began to walk slower, eyes alert and scanning the trail ahead, searching for anything of interest among the jagged rocks or under a shady tree. Many times, we crossed the small winding creek and each time it seemed to call us into its cold refreshing waters as if it knew how much the hot sun was quickly sapping away our energy. We rested for a moment beneath a small tree along the river, catching our breath and enjoying a drink from the cold clear water flowing along the stream. After replenishing our energy and escaping the harsh sun we once again returned to the path and continued on towards our destination. Deep in the mountains, we had heard, lies a beautiful oasis. Tucked into a small ravine and protected from the elements it was rumored to be full of beautiful pools overflowing with fish and other small wildlife. With the image of this paradise floating around in our heads we continued on our journey. The sound of far off voices echoed from the rocks like some alien presence. For a moment I had forgotten that we weren't alone in this wonderful place and as the voices grew closer the realization hit that for most of the day, we had simply been alone in this vast expanse of nature. The reminder that other people were approaching seemed so foreign in that moment and as they walked around the rocks, I felt relieved to see them looking at us, just as puzzled by the presence of other humans. The ice was quickly broken with a friendly hello and their brief story of the trail in front of us only caused further excitement. As we passed by and continued along the thought of encountering other people disappeared into the dust beneath our shoes. As the sun crept down towards the mountains my legs began to waver. The realization that I had not exercised in nearly two months was the only reminder I wanted of the bizarre world we had left, before I brushed it off and forced my legs onward. We soon reached a steep canyon descending from a high peak into a narrow valley full of tall trees and huge boulders. The excitement began to quickly build as the sound of a distant crashing waterfall broke through the trees. “This has to be it” I thought to myself as I looked back at the smiling faces of my parents and sister. After nearly seven miles, we are almost there. Without realizing it my feet began to move faster, my muscles energized by the sound of crashing water. My growling stomach satiated by the idea that paradise was just around the corner. As I emerged from the brush my sister walked up beside me and we both stopped, amazed by the beauty of what lay before us. Tucked under the shelter of the trees and nestled within a jagged rocky canyon sat four beautiful campsites along a surging river dotted with small waterfalls. It was just as wonderful as we had imagined, and the perfect place to come together as a family during such difficult times and to celebrate my father's birthday after being away from home for many years. This truly was paradise.
By Kyle Skinner6 years ago in Wander
The Country Road. Top Story - July 2020.
Morning. The rising sun promised another hot day, humid and full of sweat. Grateful to be in the car soon for the next five hours, with its frigid blast of AC on my face, I greeted the day with the anticipation of home. I loved my parents deeply and always welcomed the sight of my Dad’s farm, with lazy days sitting by the pond and admiring the beauty of nature; however, I also loved my suburban house outside the busy metro of Atlanta and looked forward to driving south.
By James D. Greer6 years ago in Wander
COUNTRY LIFE IN MISSISSIPPI
Back To Where It All Started....Country Living There was a time when I thought of home that images of cobblestone homes, crowds of people and hundreds of vehicles driving by throughout Chicago would come to mind. I was born there and would never see anywhere else as my home. But, most of my life has been spent in one of Mississippi's country towns in the Franklin County area. Since age 10 I have been a resident of Mississippi and all of its southern charm.
By Nathonia Smith6 years ago in Wander
