Nature Journal

SaraM89

I’ve been trying something new on my outdoor adventures lately – keeping a nature journal! It’s been such a rewarding way to connect with the environment and capture the little details that often get overlooked during hikes or camping trips.

What I Include in My Journal:

Sketches: I’ve been drawing quick sketches of plants, wildlife, and landscapes I come across. (No artistic talent required, I promise!)
Notes on Wildlife: I jot down any animals I see, along with their behavior and location. It’s amazing how much you can notice when you’re actively observing.
Plant Descriptions: I try to identify plants and trees, writing down their features and looking them up later if I’m unsure.
Weather and Scenery: I also note the weather, time of day, and how the scenery changes with the light or conditions.
Reflections: Sometimes I write about how I’m feeling in the moment or what the trip has taught me about nature.

Why It’s Worth Trying:
Keeping a nature journal has helped me slow down and really appreciate my surroundings. It’s like taking a mental photograph, but with more depth and personal connection. Plus, it’s great to look back on and relive those outdoor memories.

Do you keep a Journal, or do you have an app you use?

CuervoCat

I don’t maintain a journal in the field, I’m too busy for that, but I do like to write stories or narratives of my adventures while those are still fresh in my mind! I firmly believe that every man and woman has a story to tell… some are better at it than others, I usually stick to facts and try to make light of mistakes made in the field, lol. I think of mistakes or errors in judgment as “learning experiences!” And I’ve made a few mistakes in my time, but I’ve learned from them… of course, in the vertical world one has to be prepared, and one should never climb beyond his or her ability! Gravity can be unforgiving! 😳

I was never the best technical rock climber either, I’m a far better (expert) small craft sailor than I am a rock climber, but I liked being out on the crags! Hey, fresh air, exercise, sunshine, the company of good friends… what’s NOT to like? Unless you’re solo, but I have enough experience that way to be comfortable in the field when alone. I still have friends who are much better climbers than I am, and I’ve learned from them, but with me, it’s all about being there on the rock, and enjoying the whole scene! No crowds, no foul city attitudes, fewer badge bullies (especially when remote), heaps of wildlife, the whole nine yards! 😁

I tell my nieces & nephews that wilderness is the last bastion of true freedom in this country… because it IS. 😎

CuervoCat

Before I log out to watch this movie, I’ll post another of my ‘Tales From The Road’ (18 narratives from my “trucking daze” and one of 35 stories in an electronic manuscript). This was a real adventure back in the day, I put 358 miles on the odometer over Memorial Day Weekend, 1999, burning company fuel as I visited three awesome eco-touring destinations! I was NOT a model employee in that respect, but the company turned a blind eye because I was a “hard runner.” In those days, a hard runner was worth his weight in gold, so I got away with a lot of “paid tourism” that I probably couldn’t get away with today, given all the electronic tracking and other Orwellian ‘Big Brother’ BS, lol. Fuel was cheaper in those days as well, I can still remember when diesel was $.96 per gallon in OKC, go figure. I reckon they don’t call them “the good ol’ days” for no reason whatsoever, more’s the pity. Meh, here’s a cool story of trucking back when the industry hadn’t been ruined yet, and a solo driver could see the country like he’d NEVER seen it before, lol. Enjoy! 😎

Triple Treat

P.S. This is the blog version of the story, and it contains errors made while I was drunk… but the version in my electronic manuscript is flawless, and it even has photos incorporated directly into the text. Cheers! 😁