The Road to Beaver Park

Point out the road I must travel;

I'm all ears, all eyes before you.

-Ps 143: 8B 

An Artist's Pilgrimage 

An opportunity to take a year long sabbatical family trip exploring the Southwest across deserts, mountains and plains proved to be a transformative experience for Janice Kirk, her husband Don and school aged children, Nate and Amy. The Road to Beaver Park Painting, Perception, and Pilgrimage is a memoir of a woman's journey of discovery, renewed spiritual and ecological awareness.

San Miguel Camping 1976

In 1976 Janice's husband, a biology professor secured a sabbatical to study plant and animal life in the western part of the U.S. The children brought schoolbooks and assignments to keep up with their classes while she brought her student painting equipment, sketchbooks, paints and other necessary supplies feeling she needed a project too.

The book stands out from other memoirs as the story is viewed from multiple perspectives: the author, her husband and their children. In addition the story unfolds as part natural history, field course, travelogue and art appreciation. Janice's voice resonates with honesty and gratitude. Her descriptive and informative paragraphs are rich with sensory images and detailed sketches throughout the book capturing the ever changing terrain. Janice often is filled with a sense of awe for the world's creative order. Each chapter is peppered with carefully chosen psalms and bible verses that mirror the family's experiences every step of the way.

With unlimited time for field work, painting, exploring and discoveries each family member relished their time outdoors and the time spent around evening campfires sharing and comparing their observations. Curiosity, ingenuity and common sense strengthened as time moved into days, weeks and months.

For Don, a naturalist, his field work affirmed the book knowledge he acquired. He found nature alive discovering patterns and grasping the big picture of the planet's dynamic system. He loved the history of the Old West, geology and its history. He also used his time  to hone his photography skills.

Sunshine Peak San Juan Mountains, CO

During this time Janice developed her painting skills. Her sketches would prove to be an invaluable resource as she put together The Road to Beaver Park some 40 years later as they enhanced her story telling skills and documented their travels.

Janice and Don were kindred spirits that sparked curiosity and creativity. While she looked at colors, designs and patterns bringing attention to her husband things he may have missed while looking at plants and animals, they found observation to be their common ground. That's where science and arts begin,both working from the same source.

What intrigued me most about Janice's story was the unexpected. Often she experienced heart stopping epiphanies, being awestruck by incredible beauty, and time and time again being overwhelmed with wonder. And then along the way she discovers a contemplative side, that through a practice of solitude, silence and listening to God she found the most unexpected, her place in Christianity.

Janice's children learned resourcefulness adjusting to their new surroundings. After a year of travel they were able to be comfortable any place they were. They developed an appreciation of the outdoors, and learned to be stewards of the land.

The book evolved from a writing prompt challenge from Janice's writers' group: If you died tomorrow, what would you regret that you had not written. Writing about a previous experience some 40 years before proved to be easier than she thought. Don's journal for the first half of the year, Amy's journals and colorful calendars upon which Janice had written where they camped every single day, Janice's sketches with recorded locations and dates, and Don's myriad of photos were just the jump start she needed. Facts were checked using National Park Service sites online and her story began.

Amy's Journals

Janice concludes, “ The Road to Beaver Park started the moment we left home. After months of Painting, en plein air, a shift in Perception, and an unexpected spiritual journey that became Pilgrimage, it culminated at Beaver Park, CO. Thus the title:The Road to Beaver Park, Painting, Perception, and Pilgrimage.” She hopes her stories will motivate others to step outdoors take another look and view nature with a new set of eyes.  

Beaver Park Painting Fall Roses and Aspen Lehman Creek

Janice Kirk is a published author and illustrator, teacher and musician. She writes and illustrates books on nature, the arts, inspirational and related topics Check out her website for more information on the author, her published books,  sketches. paintings and book club discussion questions  http://janiceekirk.com/

I was fortunate to have author input for this review-Thank you Janice!

It's not just the spectacular scenery,

the waterfalls and big  tress and wildlife...

It is also about who we see these sacred places with,

whose hand we are holding.

Ken Burns, The National Park:America's Best Idea