Under Wandering Stars

Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.-Carl Sagan

[jclark-wandering]

This view never gets old... (at Big Basin Redwoods State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDC6Z6jJXx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c8tnz24beecu

[jclark-wandering]

Autumn train #journeyhome #amtrak #fallcolors #favorite (at New Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bomgfz_gs_h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1soi8tbygvkuo

[jclark-wandering]

Precarious perch #beautifulworld #wonders #nature https://www.instagram.com/p/BnLp-cegqB6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nvp5c2oc6zgt

[jclark-wandering]

Reaching for the sky (at New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

Colors of Summer #whatmomgrows #colorpots #beautyful (at New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

Today's haul off wild blackberries! (at Charlestown, New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

Today's pick of wild blackberries. Delicious! (at Charlestown, New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

Sprucing up mom's garden shed. #everythinggrows #summerwithfamily (at New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

Traveling through farmland and industry. #livinggreen #industry

[jclark-wandering]

Riding the rails through the west #arizona #newmexico #colorado

[jclark-wandering]

It IS time...

[jclark-wandering]

Fallen colors (Charlestown, New Hampshire)

[jclark-wandering]

A change in plans…

I found out yesterday my Dad had been in the hospital and had a surgery with several more planned. His heart and diabetes have led to a serious set of conditions. Therefore, I’m putting my Alaska travel plans on hold and flying home to be with my family.

Please send positive thoughts.

[jclark-wandering]

After Denali, heading south to Talkeeten then Seward. #alaska #summerbikeadventure #nobears #sewardbound (at George Parks Highway, Alaska)

[jclark-wandering]

Highlights of my bike trek through Denali National Park.

What you don’t miss is the rain, every day, and the mosquitos. Riding keeps the mosquitos off you, but the rain is relentless. Eventually, you get soaked, even with rain gear. Attacking bears and charging moose are less of a worry than the rain and mosquitos.

Yesterday I was lucky to see Denali as the sun rose to a crystal clear sky. The mountain is immense. It dominates the view and your attention. I can’t really express the feelings that flowed through me when I gazed upon it. My return ride was punctuated with numerous stops to take it all in. No other human in sight. No man-made sounds. Just nature. The wild. The mountain. It’s glaciers. And the rivers that flow from it. All parts of an even bigger and I integrated world.

It makes you think hard about life. Not just about my life as an individual, but all of human life - the all-consuming species. Feeling the mountain before me instills a sense that we are just visitors on this planet. And that we must do more to live in harmony with nature and it’s ecosystems. Looking upon Denali shows that all of nature is inherently beautiful. People flock here to see it and experience the beauty. What more can we do? What less can we do? That answer I'll leave up to you...

[jclark-wandering]

Early bird gets the shot! Somewhat rare clear skies surrounding Mount Denali. Worth the effort. #alaska #summerbikeadventure (at Denali National Park and Preserve)

[jclark-wandering]

Found cover after a long rainy ride to Healy, gateway to Denali NP. (at Healy, Alaska)