nature
The Science and Nature of Wanderlust, tourism, landmarks for nature buffs and more.
Where the Sun and Earth Collide
High altitude is hard on the body and mind, and before you take the first step toward the summit that looms so ominously in the distance, you may notice that your breathing is strained, each lung full of cold air more forced than the last. If you're timing it right, your trip is starting before the sun has broken across the horizon, and the alpine environment is still and icy. For a moment, you wonder why on earth you decided to get out of your warm bed to do THIS, of all the fun, relaxing things to do on a Saturday morning. Other hikers are either arriving or already crawling up the mountain, and as you observe each of their solemn faces you feel something click within your chest. You ventured forth from a secure place to accomplish something, to utilize your body in the most arduous of ways, to conquer nature. Once there, it becomes obvious that you must take your first step forward, and you do, every single time.
By Logan Bailey8 years ago in Wander
Visit the Dead Sea While You Still Can
The Dead Sea is one of the world’s most famous bodies of water. Its lunar landscape, curative mud and saline water — on the surface of which is possible to lie and take a nap without worrying about drowning — attract over 1.7 million tourists a year. The Dead Sea is roughly 8.6 times saltier than the ocean. Unfortunately, this may not be the case for much longer.
By Uly Spitts8 years ago in Wander
Putting the 'Her' Back in Hermit
I am a 37-year-old woman who is divorced with no children, therefore I am pretty free to do as I please. I am back in school, but was given the opportunity to live and work on my family's farm in Southwest Virginia during my break. It's a fairly short drive, about 45 minutes, but seems as though it is worlds away. We live in Kingsport, Tennessee. Despite the efforts the city has made to beautify it, it is still a very polluted industrial city. So when my dad made the offer to live on 120 acres in a log cabin overlooking the Clinch River, needless to say, I jumped at the chance.
By Kristen Neurdenburg8 years ago in Wander
Living on an Old Country Road
Living out in the country is a fun thing if you are born and raised as a country girl or boy. I always loved the leaves falling on old country roads, and when you drive over them, you can see them fly off the road. The beauty of living in the country is that you don't have to worry about the city life. The only things you have to listen to were birds chirping, crickets making noise at night, or frog croaking. Have you ever walked a country road alone? It is so peaceful and quiet. It's few and far in between when you will see a car coming by.
By Peggy Rice8 years ago in Wander
Wild Woman Adventures of PA
Growing up in an agricultural town, there were dairy farms for miles. I had not experienced the true beauty that has now become my hobby...no my passion...hiking and exploring new trails with my five pups at state parks in the Laurel Highlands. My first introduction to the tranquility of the forest was on a family trip to Tennessee. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park bordered Tennessee and North Carolina. The mountains were so vast and secluded. The mist flowed off the mountain tops and as a child I was scared. I never saw such beauty and never had I been immersed in the wildlife like I saw there. A black bear mom and her three cubs walked right in front of my family's car while we were sitting and eating lunch at the state park. The white-tailed deer were so abundant that you could see them around every curve while my dad drove and the sound of the rapids ran wild in the distance and to me, time felt like it stood still, almost careless. I had forgotten about that thrill for years. I stumbled upon a picture of that day in the Smokey Mountains when I was surrounded by beautiful trees that had delicate water droplets on their leaves, wild life, and family. I could not shake that feeling of exhilaration remembering exploring the woods around our camping area, getting my hands dirty and breathing in the air that only being in a forest can explain. Now in my life today, there is no place my dogs and I won't go to explore. Being in the woods is like being transported to a very tranquil out of your head kind of experience.
By Kim Carney9 years ago in Wander
Girl at the Edge of Death
Fear turns you inside out. Like an invisible, open hand, it reaches out towards you from the unknown. We all have fears, and most of us hide them as far away as possible. Our fears are so defining and embedded in our character and our past, that it isn’t until we know someone well that we even dare to approach the question. No one ever asks about fears as an icebreaker, or during small talk (but why the hell not?).
By Carlota Maura9 years ago in Wander
Plant Based
I remember being in college and wondering why I should try to go vegetarian. Why were people vegetarian? At the time, I ate everything and I ate a lot of meat. I had grown up as an endurance athlete in the high mountains of Colorado and I felt the most important part of diet was getting outside and running up mountains. I loved the outdoors and even more so, I loved going uphill and the feeling I got at the top.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
