Today marks the book’s 50^th Anniversary, and is the first children’s picture book of its time to feature an African American boy hero. What inspires me today about the narrative is its tribute to the carefree way urban youth independently experienced nature in winter.

Using collage as a medium for illustration, Keats tells the story of young Peter who leaves his apartment alone to join neighbors across the hall to play and explore outside in the snow. Bundled in snowsuits and scarves, he and his friends make patterns in the snow using their feet and sticks and marvel at their creations. Peter is so inspired by the snow, he takes a ball of it home as a souvenir, only to find it goes “missing” later in his warm home.

Everyone should own a copy of this celebrated tale; for both its historic importance and vision for how urban youth might re-connect freely to nature today.

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 Beginners Ski Trip with the Show-Me Skiers of St. Louis, the verr first African-American Ski club of St. Louis, Missouri, I decided to go for it.  Since 1983, this group of winter outdoor recreationists have been planning ski and snow boarding outings for adults and families. 

It’s a rather popular outing because there were two busloads of skiers of all ages headed to Sundown Mountain Resort of Dubuque, Iowa.  One reason was the affordability.  The group negotiated a package that cost less $200 person (on average) for the weekend.  Related to skiing, the cost of lessons, equipment rental, lift and access to the slopes for two days of skiing or snowboarding was $60 for the whole weekend!  I know, super affordable and a great incentive to attract anyone interested in skiing or snowboarding.

Fellow Outdoor Afros taking a break from the slopes

I decided to give snowboarding a try.  I was no better at snowboarding than I was at skiing.  Both require muscles that I obviously have no command over! LOL!

It was a fun time and I recommend Show-Me Skiers, skiing or the Sundown Ski Mountain to anyone, especially to a newbie.  Here are more photos from the Ski Trip.

Outdoor Afro fans learned about Barbara Hillary back in 2009, she not only survived lung cancer, but also took on a trek hardly imaginable to most to the North Pole on skis at age 75!

Here is our Talk Tuesday Blog Talk Radio interview with Hillary from July, 2009 where she humorously shared how it is possible and necessary to live up to ones potential:

Not willing to remain still, this month the venerable Hillary started on another trek, this time to the South Pole.

See the Expenews feed for futher details and to read the rollercoaster of events leading to her journey.

Outdoor Afro wishes Ms. Hillary the best of luck for a safe trip, and recognize the inspiration she is to us all!

Learn more about Barbara Hillary, including booking information for speaking engagements by visiting her website.

Outdoor Afro friends Frank and Audrey Peterman were invited, courtesy of the Deleware North Company, to take part in this historic Christmas Pageant penned by John Muir, as Visiting Squire and Lady. They generously provided a table for their guests to enjoy the experience, and Outdoor Afro was so glad for the invitation! Dr. Carolyn Finney was also in the mix, so we decided to make the pilgrimage together by car to Yosemite from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Without a shade of difficulty on the road, we descended into the Yosemite Valley in all its winter splendor with a fraction of the crowds. Light snow had fallen on the ground and around every bend of the road was a perfect visual frame of nature hard to harness within words.

The experience of Bracebridge is where “music, nature, and peace are united” in the austere and historic Ahwahnee Hotel that pays homage to native culture and its natural surroundings.  After an hour of pre-dinner caroling and picture taking in The Great Lounge (no cameras were allowed inside), the trumpets blew and guests were allowed to process into the festivities in the Great Hall and transported into eighteenth century England. As the program began, I felt so much pride to see Frank and Audrey enter as part of the cast. They brought so much elegance (and diversity!) to the show and their hosted table where we sat was positioned right near the couple at the foot of the stage.

The eight-course meal was served over four hours by the Squire’s serving party, with each course announced with enthusiasm and pageantry by The Manor Parson, serenaded by song: The Fish! The Peacock Pie! The Boars Head! The Baron of Beef! And in between the delicious courses the court jester and cook routinely poked fun at unwitting audience members with some hysterical results – including a gag on yours truly!

After hours of laughter, and revelry, the Squire Bracebridge and his family lead the final procession from The Great Hall and into modern times, and as they did, we Bracebridge guests rose our glasses over full bellies to celebrate with gratitude the joy of the Season and coming of the New Year.

Outdoor Afro is deeply thankful to Frank and Audrey Peterman, the Delaware North Company, and the fabulous folks of table 19 for including us in a memory of a lifetime!

Click to read more about the Bracebridge Dinner and its history, also check out Frank and Audrey’s delightful narrative of their wonderful experience.

She writes, “I am an attorney in the [San Francisco] Bay. I moved to the Bay from New York City two years ago because the parks and outdoor spaces are more accessible than in NYC and it was easier to have a work life balance and eat great healthy food here. I haven’t looked back since I left!

Zoe’s other favorite outdoor activity is camping in Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.

Thanks for sharing Zoe! What are some of the ways you are enjoying the winter weather?

Send us your winter loving photos and a short blurb so we can share here to inspire others!

For many people, the season to enjoy the state parks is over.  The thermometer barely hits 50 degrees on a warm day.  Snow is in the forecast as early as Thanksgiving in some places.  It seems that the best way to enjoy the outdoors over the winter is to watch ESPN on Saturday mornings.

But, have you ever noticed deer and waterfowl hunters?  Sometimes they come home empty handed and talk about what a great day they had.  There is a special beauty and peace in the solitude of outdoor winter activities.  As an outdoor photographer, I look forward to the colors of fallen leaves among evergreens, snow, and waterfowl that only visit us this time of year.  The key to having fun outside in cold weather is to stay warm, safe, and sensible.

Stay Warm:  Hypothermia (lowering of your body temperature) is the killer of the unprepared

• Wear a hat or hood- 40 to 50% of your body heat is lost through your head.
• Wear mittens, waterproof boots, and a windproof jacket- protect the rest of your body.
• Wear wool or synthetic fabrics- when cotton gets wet, it pulls heat from your body.
• When hiking, move slow enough that you don’t sweat- sweat is how your body cools off.
• Don’t sit on cold rocks- they will draw heat from her body.
• Eat high energy snacks- nuts and dried fruit will fuel your body’s “furnace”.
• If you start to shiver, head for the closest warm place.

Stay Safe:  Guard against falling on slippery surfaces.

• Be careful where you step- exposed rock or bare ground is far safer than packed snow or icy surfaces.
• Don’t step on wet wood or icy, sloping rocks- you could slip and get injured.
• Choose trails wisely- If a trail gets too slippery, turn back or take a different trail
• Leave your dog at home- Dogs pull on their leashes and you.  This increases your likely-hood of slipping or stumbling.

Stay Sensible:  Your mind is your best safety and survival tool.

• Drink water- to avoid dehydration.
• Wear sunglasses- when the sun glares on snowy ground.
• Bring a whistle- to use if you become injured or lost.
• Stay alert- for signs of cold exhaustion in yourself or hiking partners.  Shorten a hike if necessary.
• Hike with a partner- reduce your risk and enjoy the outdoors with someone.
• Carry your map and car keys in a place where they won’t get lost.

Stay warm when hiking outdoors.  Stay alert too.  You never know what nature has to offer this season.

I had an amazing childhood, but did not know about a lot of opportunities that were available to me.

I met Karen last week at a local college event, and discovered we had some wonderful things in common, such as motherhood, blogging, and a passion for the outdoors. Karen shares with us how she discovered outdoor recreation, and what it means to her family today.

What experiences did you have as a youth that influence how you interact with natural spaces today?

As a kid, other than going to a local park to play, or playing in my own yard, I did not do a lot when it came to outdoor recreation. And as a young adult, my idea of working out was going to the local gym. Which is not a bad thing, but it can be limiting.

How did your relationship with the outdoors change as you grew older and why?

When I met my husband, he exposed me to a whole new world of outdoor recreation. We went hiking, skiing, swimming, camping, and saw amazing waterfalls and scenery on various trails. Our kids love these activities, and are now amazing soccer players that can out run me any day. They also really enjoy rock climbing at a local gym for kids and adults.

What are some favorite things you enjoy doing with your family?

Once a year, my family goes to Tahoe for long snow trip weekend. We go with a couple of friends and family. It is always such a blast! Lots of snow, sledding, food and fun.

What is on your bucket list?

I would really love taking a Zero-Gravity flight, where you can float like an astronaut  in space. That looks like a lot of fun!

Any final thoughts?

Yes! While growing up, I was not exposed to all the outdoor activities that are out there. I had an amazing childhood, but did not know about a lot of opportunities that were available to me. My kids have no idea how lucky they are to be able to do all the things they can do today. I never went on snow trips, stayed in cabins at Tahoe , went on hikes, or had a chance to experience rock climbing as a child. I think that people have to realize and be educated that it does not matter what race you are, or what culture you come from – any one can go out with family and friends and enjoy the out doors. It’s not just for one race of people or culture, anyone can enjoy it! Go skying, sky diving, swim with dolphins, go hiking in the mountains and look at amazing waterfalls. It is something that we can all enjoy and is more attainable than most people think.

Karen lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters, ages 9 and 11.

So why did you guys decide on a trip to Tahoe?

Well… Joseph, owed me one, so I cashed in my IOU! We went up Thursday night,  and it took about 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay. We spent the night at a cheap hotel and in the morning, we went to Kmart, picked up a $15 plastic sled, and then found this place for sledding on Yelp: Adventure Mountain. And it was another $15 dollars to park the car.

A great deal! What was the set-up like?

There were about 10 different runs for sledding varying in size, e.g., S, M, L, and we were on a medium size slope. This was a great deal because sledding at one of the Ski Resorts, e.g., Heavenly, Sierra Ridge, etc., is super expensive!

We spent a couple of hours there sledding, playing with the snow by building a snowman, and throwing some snowballs at each other. Joseph had a great time even though he’s never had a desire to head up to the snow. Caelan, obviously, had a blast.

Caelan Sledding in Tahoe 2010 from Christyna Serrano on Vimeo.

He loved it so much that he had put some snow in his sweat shirt pocket. While we were chillin a little later by the lake, I noticed that his sweats were wet. It almost looked like he had peed in his pants. We then noticed that he had tried to save some snow! It was so funny. We had to take it out of his pocket and explain to him that you can’t save snow.

What do you recommend to others who might want to take a trek to the mountains?

Now is the perfect time of year to go to Tahoe and get your ski/sled on. It’s the end of the season so the crowds were not there, thus making for cheaper lodging; the snow is still there, but the spring time warmth is in the air so that it actually feels hot when your on the slopes; and the area is just absolutely gorgeous at this time of year.

Christyna is a graduate student at UC Berkeley and lives with her son and fiancé Joseph in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Continued from Part 1

Now you need something for the head and hands. I usually wear a synthetic stocking cap. The word synthetic pops up a lot because it is the fabric most commonly used in designing “performance clothing” that is clothing specifically desinged to be used in a number of outdoor activities from climbing to cycling, running etc.

I think I own more performance wear than I do any thing else. A good fleece hat and they come in many weights can really help you regulate body heat. A good hat will be soaking wet at the tip top on the outside, leaving your head bone dry, that is the beauty of performance wear. The head, as you probably know, is like a chimney. Massive amounts of heat can easily be lost if it is left uncovered, so get a good fleece hat. Now you need gloves or mittens. My preference is mittens. Fingers together in a dark warm place are much warmer than gloves with fingers separated by fabric with cold spaces in between.

Footwear depends on what you plan to do outside. Don’t wear snow boots and go for a run. You will be sore and sorry you ever left the house! Blisters will do you in even before you get started. If you are going running, wear running shoes and wool socks. If you are going to hike, wear a boot that will give you full range of motion, that is not too heavy and won’t sweat your feet out causing more blisters. With skiing,  you  simply have to wear ski boots.

Now move your body! The trick here is slow and steady, slow and steady. When the temps are in the single digits or below zero you want to move just enough to get a work out in and just enough to heat the pockets of air between your skin and the clothing you have on. You will be amazed at how much heat you can produce running down a trail covered with snow in 20 below zero wind chills. Here in Northern Minnesota I will get in 20 to 25 miles of running a week on snowmobile trails through the woods in the dead of winter. I also cross-country ski most winters and find it a blast even when it is zero degrees out. I also bike all winter over snow packed country roads if conditions are not too bad. The same principals apply in all cases, dress in layers.

So if you’ve never tried exercising outdoors in the winter, treat yourself to a whole new world of fun. If you follow these tips you just might enjoy winter again, just like when you were a little kid.

Dudley Edmondson is the author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, and is available for speaking engagements.

Now let me start out by saying that what I do outdoors in the winter may seem extreme to many. I am not one to shy away from extreme cold or deep snow, I just do what I do and use it as a measuring stick for my next outdoor adventure. Having said that, I thought it would be helpful if I explain to folks the best way to be comfortable in cold, even sub-zero weather outdoors during the winter months.

First thing, no Cotton. I commonly refer to cotton as the “Death Fabric.” IF you want to freeze to death, then by all means wear it in winter to exercise. The search party cadaver dogs will find you contorted in a ball huddle up next to downed tree log with your lips frozen and blue as the blue man group.

Morbid kidding aside, cotton retains moisture close to the skin, and that is a very bad thing. Cotton can be the catalysts for hyperthermia. What happens is that your body, regardless of what you might think, will produce sweat even in sub- zero weather. Sweat is the body’s way of cooling itself down. A moving body burns calories, calories produce heat, heat produces sweat which as I said cools you down in warmer weather so you can continue exercising. In winter though the air around you will keep you plenty cool so instead you need to trap dry body heat so you can be outside as happy as a clam and comfortable for hours if you like.

Think layers, synthetic layers.  Things like spandex, polypropylene, nylon. These types of fabric move moisture away from the skin and that is a good thing. Ideally what you need to do is move moisture to the outer most layer of your clothing while keeping in the dry heat. You can start with a base layer perhaps a synthetic top and bottom. Then over that you need a warm layer like fleece or wool. These fabric trap heat but allow moisture to keep on moving away from the skin. Over the warm layer use what we call a shell layer that is usually a coat or jacket that is made of some type of synthetic material that will usually repel water and block wind but hold in your heat. I always prefer these types of layers with what are called “pit zips” that means you have zippers in your underarms that you can open and close so the moist heat in your armpits can escape. The beauty of the pit zip is you can open them as wide or narrow as you want to suit your comfort level. Would not buy a jacket without em! Now that you are all layered up you are just about ready to go.

…to be continued in Part Two

Dudley Edmondson is the author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, and is available for speaking engagements.