Photo Courtesy of Jason Cartwright

Someone at the family barbecue yesterday made a pitcher of Summer Peach Sangria, which was a big hit with the adults. Here is the recipe:
1 bottle of white wine
½ Bottle of Cointreau or Peach Schnapps
¼ Cup of sugar
½ Liter of ginger ale
2 mixed cups of peaches (fresh or frozen), mango, and orange chuncks
Mix wine, liqueur, and sugar together until sugar dissolves. Chill for 1 hour. Add ginger ale and fruit just before serving over ice.
Please drink responsibly and/or make a tamer Virgin Summer Sangria by …

I am so excited about this Monday’s Bottom Line because I have something to give away for FREE that is priceless:
A FREE pass to the Yosemite National Park!
Yosemite is one of my all-time favorite outdoor spaces and has terrific options to fit any budget. The park is committed to connecting underrepresented minorities with its natural resources and beauty. Yes, Yosemite wants YOU! So why not give Yosemite a try?
To win the free pass, be the first to call tomorrow’s BlogTalk Radio show and share your favorite memory from the …

Compare:
Movies out once per month for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children, plus snacks and parking fees):
$768 annually*
Monthly fun/education series at your local municipal park like this one:
Program cost: FREE or sliding scale, plus the cost of home packed lunch
*Source: AMC Movie Theaters — SF Bay Area

After getting married and starting a family of my own, camping took on a new meaning. For just a short drive and little money, I found camping was one of the most economical ways my new family could take a vacation. During these years I collected essential camping gear, like our first family-sized tent and propane stove from local garage sales and eBay — my family still uses these items today.
But as my family grew, so did the effort of camping. Thus the city of Oakland’s Feather River family camp, …

Now is the time for Outdoor Afros to plan a summer camping trip! While some popular sites may have been booked up since last winter, it’s never too late to secure a spot at a scenic developed site. One local favorite of my family is the Samuel Taylor Park, which fills up quickly during the peak season!
You can drive right up to your camping area in the developed sites, which are either privately owned or a part of a regional parks system. In either case, you’ll find showers, some electricity …

One of my single friends, bored by the movie/dinner/drinks hustle, wondered how dating and the great outdoors could go together. Based some observations and experiences from when I was both dating and married, ideas came easy. So here are just a few outdoorsy thoughts for a date or if you are single and looking to mingle!
Climbing Gym
People who come to climbing gyms also tend to get out on real rocks too. Alternately, it’s great for people who want to try rock climbing without as many risks. And there is something …

Part 1
So every other weekend, until I became a teen, was spent in the country. And while I now see the value of my time there, I distinctly recall lots of boredom in an era that pre-dated ubiquitous cable TV, video, and phone technology. But boredom was what actually propelled me and my playmates to invent games, songs, and dances against the backdrop of the country during the day. Nights were often spent around a large fireplace with family members; swapping tales, playing board games, or a producing …

Cooling off and calming down with the family (or your honey) could not be easier this summer than taking a stroll in a shady, local Redwood grove, where temperatures can dip 10-15 degrees lower than their nearby urban centers. Our local Redwood beauties have been around for hundreds of years and are now protected to ensure their survival and service to the local ecology. Their austere presence is found amazingly close and accessible from the craze of metropolitan life.
In the valley just beyond the Oakland Hills is Redwood Park, …