Originally posted Thanksgiving, November 25th, 2009…Enjoy!

flickr.com/prettywarstl: a nice plate!
Thanksgiving in my family is more than the delicious turkey, pies, and cobblers my sister Delane makes; it is also a celebration of food that preserves the memories and experiences of those who have passed on, symbolized through the remaking of family recipes…Cherrie’s dressing, Ella mae’s Pea Salad…the matriarchs of my family pulled greens from their garden for dinner, they plucked the feathers of fresh foul, and cleaned the fish they caught in local lakes for Friday fish fries.
Our family also has …

Colleague Camille Dudley of Outward Bound Adventures had some terrific images of natural beauty on her facebook page.  I just had to share!
Camille on a fence circa 1970s
Sister Denise Henderson modeling in the outdoors an outfit she made
 

By Danielle N. Lee Outdoor Afro Contributor and author of Urban Science Adventures! ©
Denene Millner and her family set up a tent
It’s summertime and the living is easy, especially if you’re a kid.  Schools out and fun is all that is on their hyperactive minds.  We adults still have jobs to attend, bills to pay and bellies to feed, but there’s no reason why we couldn’t be on the same page, at least for a single night. So, what’s the best way to enjoy the summer with your kiddos that’s fun, affordable, and …

I was so glad to learn from my friend Roy, of The Camping Blogger that Eastern Mountain Sports have yet another infographic that gets down to the nitty gritty of what true risks there are to your health in the outdoors — compared to hazards found right in your own home!

From the Outdoor Nation Website:
What
The Youth Summit is a 3-day event with 249 of your peers (give or take) so that we can find solutions to the challenges that are keeping people indoors. And, work with us on a project that you help design.
Who
YOU! You can be a summit delegate if:

You really want to change the world so that everyone has the chance to GTFO
You are between the ages of 18* and 28
Your application is chosen by our esteemed committee

* If you are under 18, consider yourself exceptionally mature and …

Bathsheba Beachfront
The Barbados Tourism Authority took a group of US Journalists on an Experiential Tour of the beautiful island and we enjoyed the best of Bajan culture and activities, including Outodoor Fun at Sea! Barbados is a small island, 14 miles wide and 21 miles long; however, it has 60 miles of coastline giving you a number and variety of ways to enjoy Barbados’ top attraction – the seaside!
1. Beachside Activities
Beach combing and lounging are always in style. All of the fine white sand beaches are public so you’re …

(image courtesy of www.visitbarbados.org)
I’m excited about visiting Barbados. I’ve never been before, but I have experienced other Caribbean countries, and  know first hand how amazing the Caribbean is. For the novice outdoor recreationist and the seasoned outdoor lover, the Caribbean is equally compelling. Something about the weather, the scenery, the sounds and people that make me feel at home. The weather is simultaneously hot, sunny, humid, and rainy. The scenery is green, gold, orange,red, violet and blue – encompassing the beauty of the horizon, the water, the trees, the sand, and …

By Outdoor Afro Contributor Danielle N. Lee
My first time skiing was an experience. I’m from the south, so frolicking in the cold or snow wasn’t a bog part of my childhood experience.  However, I love the outdoors and I love trying new things, so I joined a group of friends who introduced me to the basics of the slopes.
Preparing for my winter time Outdoor Afro adventure with Show Me Skiiers
It was an adventure!  I was far from great at it.  But I wasn’t deterred. So when I was invited to …

A great list contributed by Harriet Gordon, who runs a site to help people research Human Services careers. Clearly, Harriet likes to hike too!
Whether you are looking to have an adventurous weekend or cross something off of your bucket list, nature is, and probably should be, involved. One of the best ways to get back to it is to go on a hike. With literally thousands of trails taking anywhere from hours to months to complete, it can all be somewhat to very confusing. With little …

By Outdoor Afro Contributor, Javaughn Fernanders
There is an uneasy predictable phrase I hear after requesting my family’s presence in the great outdoors: “You don’t see us out there!”

Seeing. We are told not to believe what we see, and yet we trust our eyes not only to reveal truths about our immediate environment, but to tell us about our cultural practices.  This is why in 2010, I created a campaign of six posters named “Your History is Waiting For You,” to encourage African-Americans to reconnect to an environmental community from …