I want to thank every one of you. All of you who have donated towards my charity bike ride. And to those of you who are supporting me on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. Your dollars are a great resource to make a difference in the charity I have chosen to ride for, the Adventure Cycling Association. But your well wishes and warm thoughts of safety and happiness are equally as important. Whether you could contribute monetarily or not to my bike ride, I want to thank all of you for support by whatever means you have. It is truly appreciated.

I am officially on vacation!!! Leaving tomorrow to ride my bicycle 320 miles from Fortuna to San Francisco. We will be having an event at city hall on Thursday May 23rd when we get into SF. We will be riding en masse to City Hall at about 11:00 so if you are in the city, come on out! Here is more information.

https://www.facebook.com/events/468950573187933/?context=create

In case you didn’t know it, I am FREAKIN EXCITED!! I am so pumped up. I bike trip is going to cleanse my soul and get me fired up to continue on the journey of life with my head held high confident in the belief that I am able to achieve big things when I put my mind to it. Whooh!

In case you still want to send a donation my way, I’ll be accepting them until Thursday when the ride is complete.

http://bike.climateride.org/participant/Jameson

Thank you, and have a wonderful, wonderful day!

With love from my bicycle,

Jameson

The time is near for my upcoming bicycle ride. But I  need your help. I need to reach the minimum fundraising goal of $2400 by this Sunday, May 12th in order to participate in this ride. I’ve worked hard these past two months with my training, my advocating, and my fundraising. But haven’t quite reached this goal.

I understand fully now how hard it is to fundraise. I’ve been trying my hardest, and haven’t quite made it yet. But I am so close. And believe, with your support, that I can do it.

Please please please consider donating towards my charity bicycle ride. Again, I’m riding for bicycle safety and awareness contributing to a United States Bicycle Route System. All funds go directly towards this project organized by the nonprofit the Adventure Cycling Association.

I greatly appreciate the support, and your contribution to allow me to pedal my bike for bicycles.

http://bike.climateride.org/participant/Jameson

Have a wonderful day,

Jameson

Adventure Cycling is so cool. And they did an article on me on their blog. Check it out. It’s the coolest!

http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/meet-jameson-henkle-of-team-adventure-cycling/

I have an interview on the local university public radio tomorrow, KHSU. Super stoked for that!

And I’m hosting a fundraising event at the local brewery,  Mad River Brewing Company, coming up on April 28th. I’m working hard doing my part to generate awareness for my cause, the environment.

Bike Party at the Brewery

I could really use your support in donating to my cause. You can contribute a secure tax-deductible donation directly to the project through my sponsorship page.

http://bike.climateride.org/participant/Jameson

Thank you so much, and have a wonderful day.

Jameson

The Gravy Train out on an epic day ride!!!

I will be riding 320 miles from Fortuna to San Francisco California. But in order for me to participate, I must reach a target goal of $2,400 in pledges. Your dollars will directly support sustainability, bicycle advocacy, the climate crisis, and clean energy solutions.

Would you be willing to make a donation of $25, $50, $100, or more, and help support these very important causes? It’s very easy…visit my fundraising page where you can make a tax-deductible donation online by going directly to my fundraising page and clicking the “Support Me” button.

Here is the link: http://bike.climateride.org/participant/Jameson
Wonder how happy you will make me???

This is how happy you will make me!!!!

Thank you so much for you support, I truly cherish it.

Have a wonderful day!!

Jameson

This message reaches you a little late this month, but it fits right in with the theme of this newsletter. Integrating time into space. We live in a three-dimensional world, but there is also a fourth dimension….Time. Space must occur through time. Often time can get away from us. Or time can move to slowly. We are waiting, wanting, frantic, rushed, busy, or whatever else while looking forward or backward.

Settling into a new job as a professional hydrologist and into a new life here in Humboldt County, I am really trying to be present, thoughtful, and meticulous with my thoughts and actions. I’m working very hard at being present in life. Trying not to focus to hard on what is coming next, or dwell on what has past, but be completely present in what is right now.

I find that by bringing space, through the fourth dimension of time, helps me achieve presence. I give myself lots more time then necessary to accomplish any task. I do not want to feel rushed. I want focus my energy and successfully complete whatever current activity I am engaged in a calm and collected manner. Whether it is at work monitoring turbidity in the river, riding my bicycle in the mountains, or eating dinner at home. By giving myself lots of time, it provides the space for me to be present in the moment.

Time and space are intricately related. Allowing for space in life brings awareness into all aspects of your being. And for me, it helps work towards my current intention of being present in the moment.

 If you are interested and do not currently receive my newsletter, go ahead and leave a comment at the bottom of this post, or add your email address into the right sidebar.

Thank you, and have a wonderful day!

Jameson

Being fortunate enough to have the best friends in the world, when I was in San Francisco for my birthday weekend around the 18th of February, we all got together and produced our own Harlem Shake video.

So here for your unadulterated pleasure, enjoy!!

My apartment is behind the 3 large windows upstairs

I moved into an apartment in the old bed and breakfast here in Blue Lake, California. My apartment is 3 old rooms that were joined by knocking down the walls between them, and remodeled into a pleasant one bedroom apartment.

Welcome to my home, please come in.

Through the old school hallway that is something out of the past, you enter into my humble abode.

The main room is open to create a space that welcomes yoga anytime!

I’ve opened up the main room without any furniture to allow for plenty of space to have a personal yoga studio. There is great natural light streaming through the windows and my trunk, plant, and fridge are very unobtrusive to yoga-rific exploration and adventures.

The kitchen doubles as the dining room and comes with a cute little kitchenette.

Turn around and you’ll be looking into my kitchen/dining room. The kitchenette is small and requires that space be utliized. I have enough counter space to cook or to dry dishes. They cannot happen at the same time. So I cook, and clean after every meal to have a clean work space for the next time. I also don’t have an abundance of dishes so being punctual on cleanup helps avoid running out of clean items.

Must utilize space in the kitchen, just like the rest of the home.

When it’s time to sit down and eat at a table, I pull the end table out of the corner there next to the kitchenette and place it in the middle of the floor in the kitchen. I pull out a pillow or a stool depending on how flexible I am feeling and eat while seated on the floor. In Korea, the best food was served at restaurants where you had to sit on the floor. I guess a little bit of Asia rubbed off!

To eat, I pull out the table and pillow, and enjoy meals seated on the floor.

The space between the main living area and the bedroom houses the closet and a nifty little bookshelf to set all those things on that don’t have a place. But before entering the bedroom, don’t forget to hang up your hat and take off your shoes.

A little bookshelf is nestled between the bedroom and living room.

An Elk antler appeared in the forest one day and said, “Make me a hat rack!”

Oh yes, please take your shoes off when you enter.

Enter the bedroom, complete with an electric heater, a mattress and frame, and another trunk. Let me tell you, after 2 years of not having  a real mattress to sleep on, I am floating in the clouds each night I crawl into those wonderful covers. I’ve attempted to bring some color into the bedroom by hanging various things collected over the years.

My room is a haven for rest and relaxation.

And no apartment is complete without a place of rest, or bathroom as it’s more commonly called. Enter through the bedroom to the side bathroom and you’ve successfully made your way through the whole place.

Another look at where I gain my strength each night.

The bathroom is complete with sink, shower, and toilet…

And that is my happy home. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Thank you for letting me share with you! Here is the view from where I sleep. What I wake up to in the morning. It’s a happy place. Casa Blue Lake!

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Jameson

A view looking deep into the heart of the redwood forest.

I’m currently living in Blue Lake, California and am gainfully employed by a natural resource company with interests in the timber industry. They are a great company that takes strong action into sustainably harvesting the forest. I am working in the Conservation Planning Department which runs about 60 people deep. It is great to be on this side of the argument and bare witness to what goes on out there.

Surprise. You found me in the forest!

I spend my days out searching the land for intersections of roads and streams. I conduct surveys on these road/stream crossings where necessary collecting data for a piece of a comprehensive 50 year management plan addressing the importance of aquatic habitats. Along the way, I discover really cool things in the forest. So, I thought I should share some of these fantastical forest finds with you!

Some pretty wildflowers. These are called Fuschia.

This wildflower is called Foxglove.

I haven’t seen a ton of wildflowers, but have stumbled upon a few. These two photos take the cake for prettiest wildflowers as yet to be seen.

This is a cool banana slug with black spots on it. Awesome.

Banana slugs are EVERYWHERE. And they come in all shapes and sizes. Well, maybe not all shapes. But I have seen them ranging in size from about an inch to about 6 inches. Sometimes they cluster, sometimes I see one lonely way out yonder. But I do see them everywhere. I make sure not to step on them, and see probably a dozen or so every day. At least!

A black bear has climbed this tree, and stripped the bark off of it.

I work in Black Bear country. I scared one as I came around a bend on my ATV one day. He was running away as fast as possible down the road. I saw his big old butt jiggling out of control. Black bears are kind of like overgrown squirrels. They are very afraid. They also like to climb trees and strip the wood off of them. I think they might eat it? But am not positive. Do you know why?

The blackberry plant is an invasive that produces very seedy delicious berries and super cool leaves. It also has crazy thorns so stay away!

Blackberry brush is not my friend. It grows thick and has sharp big thorns. It rips my hat off my head, punctures my hand in multiple locations at the same time, and makes hiking not so fun. Thanks to whoever brought this over, cause its not supposed to be here. thanks…

This is the Humboldt Giant Salamander. This guy is about 8 inches long.

I stumbled upon the Humboldt Giant Salamander. Pretty cool. I was stoked. And the little dude hung out so I could take his picture. What a pal.

More redwood forest overlooking the Klamath River.

Here is my field area I’ve been working in for the past few months. It’s been a very beautiful time of year in Humboldt County and I feel very fortunate to experience it in all its Indian Summer majesty.

This is my favorite picture I’ve taken so far. Maybe my favorite place I’ve stumbled upon as well.

The best part about my job you may ask? Oh well it’s being in nature discovering the most beautiful creeks and streams I can imagine. Here is my favorite photo. I crossed this creek one day and it made me stop, take a deep breath of forest air, and exhale with a smile. As you know, I am a river lover. And love rivers I get to do!

For all of you mushroom enthusiasts, connoisseurs, or opponents, here is a fungi filled photography bit for you.

There are a lot of mushrooms out here, to say the least.

Please enjoy these photos as much as I enjoy discovering them. It is the exploration that keeps not only the body, but the mind refreshed. If you haven’t explored lately, go outside. Look around your backyard, or the park. Just see whats out there. Or even better, go out into nature. When you extend your gaze you are open for discovery. And discovery is a beautiful thing.

Have a wonderful day,

Jameson

Now for the gnitty gritty details!

I woke up feeling rested from a good nights sleep. I had prepared the evening before by getting my supplies centrally located in my living room floor. A couple snacks added to my pile made fresh to travel and there was nothing left stopping me. I ate a breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt with chia seeds and homemade blackberry jam, put on my cycling gear, and headed out the door.

Dana and I saying Happy Birthday to my mom, Patty Henkle.

But first, I had to say “Hello” to Dana at Stardoughs and get my morning caffeine fix. Dana is a kind man who is the hub of Blue Lake. He makes delicious food, and genuinely cares about the people who walk through the door. I told him it was my mother’s birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) and he insisted to come out for a photo shoot with me.

Redwood Country, and my first ascent to get into the mountains.

Then I set off. An easy 2 mile warm up and then its go time. A solid 1,000 foot climb up to the top of the mountain. Or at least the beginning of them. Here I experience redwood country at its finest. With the distorted early morning sunlight trespassing through the redwoods at every chance, it made for a cool mystic start to my day.

A view from the top.

Although the weather was quite warm outside, and by the time I reached the top, I was pumping sweat like a baker makes bread, quite efficiently.

I’m pretty excited!

The rode steadily became intermittently paved and dirt. But with cross tires on the cross check, I was amply prepared for the change in surface terrain. 10 miles of ambling through some ups, some downs, a few creek crossings, and finally the Mad River presented itself in all its glory.

Bridge over the Mad River.

From the Mad River, there is a grueling 9 mile climb covering over 2,000 feet. The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse fueled my fire while I pushed this massive climb. I’m absolutely thankful of all that hard work crossing the country by bicycle when it comes to climbs like this, because I eat them for dinner!

Spawning salmon in a tributary.

A screaming downhill. The kind of downhill that your not sure which is faster, the spinning of your wheels or the beating of your heart. And laying on the breaks around sharp corners provides happy cramps in your palms that take some shaking once you reach bottom. All that hard work finally pays off.

Eureka Bay with Arcata out in the background.

Over a few bridges and checking out the view of Eureka Bay, I had made it close to the ocean. Now it was time to go find it. On the far side of the bay lie coastal sand dunes. They are pretty cool. I took a detour out to the dunes. Parked my bike when I couldn’t ride it anymore. And took a little stroll out to the beach.

Coastal Dune Bicycle Porn.

I love the ocean. It is so calming. So peaceful. So vast and expansive. And the ocean never quits. The waves pound the shore without reprieve. If there is one thing I can count on in life, is that the ocean will be there every time I need it.

Peace and tranquility can be achieved next to the ocean.

From there it was into Arcata and hitting the usual ride home on West End Road. This is a beautiful little bike ride and I’m happy every time I get to do it. Especially at the end of such an epic day.

I love this ride!

For those of you suffering from nature deficit disorder, some sheep decided to rear their heads and say “What’s up Jame-O?” So I took their photo too.

Some grazing sheep are just chillin, sayin “Hi!”

And that is a wrap. I was in the saddle for about 5 hours. I biked just short of 60 miles. And knocked out almost 5,000 feet of climbing. I felt great afterward. Ate a whole pizza to my face, showered and fell asleep pretty hard. I love my bike. You would think after living on it for so long that I might not be quite as fond of it? But after all this time, I’m pretty attached. It is almost an extension of my body. Crazy.

My bike is safe and sound, just like me!

Thank you all, and have a wonderful day. Happy Tailwinds!

Jameson

The theme of my blog is Adventures on Planet Earth.

Getting ready for a solo bike trip!

I’m back with a fury. And I’m more directed about what I want to speak with you about….Adventure.

So I will be writing articles involving running, biking, exploring, and other means of adventuring.

Hold on your your seat, because it is going to be a wild ride.

This is a beautiful bedrock waterfall I discovered!

So for some social media shoutouts, here’s how you can keep up and follow my adventurous stories.

Join my facebook group, Jameson of the Geo

Like my twitter handle: Jameson of the Geo

Please join my monthly newsletter. It is my special hobby and I’m excited when people join. Find it here

Jame-O’s Jive – my monthly newsletter. Do it cause you know you want to.

Thank you all so much. I love you!

Jameson