Category: Nature (Page 6 of 20)

Finding Inspiration from New Perspectives #InkRipples

July 7, 2016 / Katie L. Carroll

For July #InkRipples, we’re talking about inspiration. Since there are so many things that inspire me, not only in my writing but also in my life, I decided to post something new each week. Since two of my writing friends have new books out next week, I’m all booked up with guest posts, so you’re getting two #InkRipples this week. (Lucky you!)

I love when I come across something that makes me think about the world in a different way. Science often gives me a new perspective on the world. I could probably write a bunch of posts about how science inspires me, and I might be coming back to that later this month. Language also has the power to change the way you experience something. It can be a turn of phrase, a metaphor, a way to use a word you haven’t seen before, an emotion evoked simply from the words on a page–so many aspects of language can open your eyes to something new.

The moment when you come across something, and say, “I’ve never thought of that before” or “how come I never thought of that before” or “I never would have thought of that, but this is really amazing,” those are moments of inspiration. When I came across the headline “What Do Tree Rings Sound Like When Played Like A Record?” (granted this isn’t a brand-new story, but I hadn’t seen it until recently), I was like, “What?” And then I listened, and I was like, “Wow!”

YEARS from Bartholomäus Traubeck on Vimeo.

A Whole New Running Perspective

May 23, 2016 / Katie L. Carroll

I’ve started running again. Slowly, slowly, slowly. It’s not so much that I’m running slowly, but that I’m easing my way back into a regular running routine. I run a couple of miles once a week. I’d like to sneak in a second day of running on a regular basis…we’ll see if that happens!

The thing that’s different about my running this time is my approach. In the past, I’ve always run with a specific goal in mind. As a kid, I competed at the kid’s track meets in the summer. In high school, I ran for the track team, again for competition. In college and beyond, I ran ran to stay in shape for soccer or to train for a specific race.

Honestly, though, I never really like running in and of itself. When I’ve tried to do it without a 5K to train for or a competitive edge involved, it was kind of a slog. And even when in training, it was something I did because I had to do it to succeed in whatever goal was the end game. I’ve always preferred exercise in the form of a team sport.

But now, post two children and with some extra pounds on these old bones, I’m running with no specific mileage or time goals in mind. I’m not training for anything or looking to compete. I just go out and run.

via GIPHY

I run in the scenic downtown area while The Boy has dance class. Sometimes I run around the green. Other times I head to the little wooded area behind the library and the harbor. If I feel like checking out the boats or the baby geese, I do. If I don’t feel like running up a hill, I walk. I don’t keep track of how far I run or how long. It’s very low-key and low pressure. It’s almost meditative.

As someone who grew up playing many competitive sports and who continued that into adulthood, it’s very strange to exercise this way. The only other time I’ve exercised like this was when I did yoga, which I mostly did while I was pregnant so there was a necessity to the low-key manner.

And you know what? I kind of love running this way. It’s liberating. There’s nothing at stake; there’s only gain. I win by running. Period. And it gives me some much-needed alone time. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to figure this out!

Have you ever gained a new perspective on an old thing?

Under the Sea in Mozambique by Oliver Hyde #InkRipples

January 22, 2016 / Katie L. Carroll

Today I’ve got a special guest #InkRipples post for the January travel theme (February’s is chocolate, so make sure to stop back in on Monday, February 1st for that!). Let’s give a big welcome to traveler extraordinaire Oliver Hyde as he shares his passion for Africa! #InkRipplesBlogBanner

Under the Sea in Mozambique

by Oliver Hyde

People are usually visiting Africa for the safaris and incredible history and culture. Because we rarely hear about the beauty of the seaside and turquoise waters, we tend to neglect Africa as a travelling destination. Mozambique is the country with the most amazing coastline in entire Africa, and perhaps the world, and it is slowly, but steadily, becoming the favorite destination for snorkelers, surfers and divers. With its 2470 km (1500 miles) of coastline, this African country can match some of the most renowned world destinations, such as Maldives or Hawaii. Let us dive in deeper into the topic and find out why you should put Mozambique on your travel bucket list.

The Coast of Mozambique

As mentioned, the delightful Mozambique has a whole vastness of coastline, and it is no wonder that the beaches and underwater world are so diverse. No matter if your bucket list has swimming with the sharks or catching the biggest wave on it, you will find a place for it in this incredibly picturesque country. Since you will probably have to choose between several locations, we will show you what you are facing.

Bazaruto Archipelago

The group of five islands (Benguera, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangué) is a protected national park in Mozambique, so you can rest assure that there will be no crowded beaches and that the nature will be practically untouched by human influence. It is the home to dozens of bird species, such as pink flamingos and fish eagles. Other inhabitants of the archipelago are red duikers, Nile crocodiles and bushbucks. Dolphins can be seen swimming through clear waters around the islands, but if you dive deeper you can see more than 2000 different species of fish. Loggerheads, green turtles and leatherbacks can also be seen in this area. The intriguing dugongs spend their time foraging among sea-grass around the archipelago. Top two places to see in Bazaruto Archipelago are San Sebastian and Two Mile Reef. The first one is perfect for diving and scuba diving, and if you visit between May and December, you can also swim with whale sharks. The second one is ideal for snorkeling.

Quirimbas Archipelago

Located far up north, this group of 32 islands is known for their historical sites, but it does not lack in staggering nature. No one can resist the fascinating white stretches of sand surrounded by azure and turquoise waters and dotted with beautiful greenery of dense mangrove forests. Some of the islands are practically uninhabited, so you can enjoy complete serenity while exploring this breathtaking destination. The archipelago is known for great diving sites, the best of them being Vamizi, Rongui and Quilaluia. Vamizi is famous for world-class diving, snorkeling, dhow sailing and fishing. With its plethora of marine life and stunning coral reefs, it surely offers a spectacular diving experience. Other premiere dive spots, Rongui and Quilaluia, have alluring coral gardens and a wide range of close-in sites for diving and snorkeling. Some of these spots are famous for their luxury resorts, but if you feel more comfortable being in a house or an apartment you can always browse through the offer on propertymaputo.com.

Tofo

This small village on the south of Mozambique is so sublime that it deserves a special place on our list, near the giants like Bazaruto and Quirimbas. The beach in Tofo runs in a long arc with a small city in the center. It has long been southern Africa’s favorite sea safari location, and it seems that it will remain so. The warm azure waters and the underwater world are pillars of Mozambique tourism. The best diving rounds are from October to May and from May to September. Tofo is also famous as a world-class surfing destination with the best surfing spot in the country and one of the best in the world – Tofinho. It is no wonder, because the immaculate reefs, pleasantly warm waters, dream-like waves, friendly locals and affordable prices, make Tofinho an ideal spot for enthusiasts wanting to get the most bang for their buck.

If you need any other reason to visit Mozambique and discover its charm below and above the water, just remember the amazing hospitality of the locals and the laid back attitude which will finally make you rest on your vacation. Speaking with the words of famous Henning Mankell: “You still feel a genuineness that no longer exists in countries where tourism has been industrially developed.”

About the Author:

Oliver Hyde is an experienced business consultant from the UK. His job allows him to travel, which also happens to be one of his greatest passions. Being a wanderer, he rarely stays at the same place for a long time, but Africa stole his heart. He had been travelling through the continent for more than a year.

Time to Fill the Creative Well Again

January 18, 2016 / Katie L. Carroll

I finished the big revision I had been working on and then made it through the holidays. Now I find myself on this side of the New Year with a need for a creative recharge. This isn’t the first time I’ve been here, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

The creative life can be draining when you’re constantly putting words, thoughts, and ideas out there, so I tend to go through periods where I’m in need of replenishment. I’ve written about the idea of a creative well (see the full post here) here on the Observation Desk before. Here’s a snippet:

The well is where ideas come from.

Some ideas are a tiny trickle dripping from the bucket. Others a deluge as the bottom of the bucket falls out, gushing water over my head.

I’m not the only one with access to the well. An intricate labyrinth of tunnels connects other writers, artist, dreamers, and musicians to the well. But it’s not only for artsy types. Mathematicians calculate numbers and equations there; astrophysicists explore the stars and galaxies; doctors find cures for disease.

The well connects us all.

I mistakenly think I write to make connections, take the thoughts and stories in my head and share them with readers, giving them thoughts and stories of their own. I actually write to explore the connections that already exist through the well.”

I feel like I’ve been putting a lot into the well lately. So it’s time for me sit quietly and soak up all the well has to offer. I’ve been reading a lot (something I didn’t do as much last year), watching TV (sure some programs are more mindless than others, but it does help to fill me up creatively), and paying attention to life and nature.

And thinking…lots and lots of thinking. Part of my writing process is to think about a new project for awhile before I dig into writing it. More than thinking about what I’m working on next, though, I’ve also been pondering my career as an author and where I’m headed next. Part of that depends on other people as I’m currently querying agents with a manuscript, but much of it is internal.

Speaking of querying, this part of being a writer is one of the hardest for me. It’s makes me feel intensely vulnerable, and I really, really, really hate feeling vulnerable. I’m in need of lots of tea and chocolate, and maybe some hugs!

Hopefully soon, I’ll have a better sense of this next book I plan on writing and I’ll be able to immerse myself in it, which helps to desensitize me to the querying process. A new project brings excitement, direction, and hope.

What have you all been up to lately?

January #InkRipples continued: Still in Tahiti, Still Pregnant, and the Tsunami Was on Its Way

January 13, 2016 / Katie L. Carroll

Yup, another repost, but I had to make sure you got the rest of the story from last week. And next week, look for some new content here on the Observation Desk. So here’s the rest of the Tahiti tsunami story (telling this story always makes me want to give it a really cheesy, reality TV subtitle like “When Vacations Go Bad”).

Okay, so sorry to leave you in suspense for so long…where did I leave off? Right, right…French Polynesia, island of Moorea, tsunami sirens blaring in the wee hours of the morning. The hubby and I throw on some clothes (I remember to put on a bra, but totally forget about undies!) and grab the essentials: passports, a large bottle of water, medication, and some peanut-butter crackers (a pregnant lady needs her snacks).

On the way to the lobby we hear some people talking about taking a car up to Belvedere Point. Given the high-stress situation, I managed to refrain from laughing at them, but going to Belvedere Point would have been some serious overkill. Even if we had gotten a tsunami anywhere close to as big as the one that hit Japan, we wouldn’t have needed to go to one of the highest points on the island.

(This is the view from Belvedere Point. Way higher and farther from the water than necessary. When we had talked to the manager the night before, he had said worse-case-scenario, we would have to go up the resort driveway to the road.)

In the lobby, the manager makes an announcement that a tsunami is expected to hit about 6:00 a.m. and that all guests must go to the restaurant area. They don’t specifically say it, but we get the impression that it’s more precautionary than anything else, although some guests are starting to look very nervous. (Apparently, they didn’t have the luxury of a prealarm freakout like I had!)

We are actually allowed to go back to the room where we stow our luggage as far up in the closet as possible (just in case). We pack all our valuable electronics and some books and stuff in our backpacks (I still haven’t realized I’m not wearing any underwear) and head to the restaurant.

The next several hours are…well…pretty boring. I stare at the water, trying to detect any kind of measurable change, for so long that my eyes start to hurt. The resort staff gets the breakfast buffet ready as quickly as they can given that it’s still early enough that breakfast wouldn’t have normally started yet.

The only indication we ever get that an actual tsunami hit us (I think we technically got two tsunami “waves”) was when the water level in the lagoon went down just enough for some coral too poke out of the surface. A group of self-proclaimed geologists were sitting near us and they got all excited when this happened and starting documenting it all on their camcorders.

(That stuff sticking out of the water to the right of the palm tree is the coral that normally is under water. That was our only visual cue that we were in the middle of a tsunami.)

By about 9:30 a.m. the warning was over and we all got to go about our day in tropical paradise (and I finally get to put on some underwear!). So, like I said in the last post, it was a lot of build-up with little payoff thankfully. I’m okay with having experienced a tsunami measured in inches instead of feet.