Promoting Equality In Green Spaces
We Have A Dream: Women Come Together To Inspire Diversity Outdoors
As Published on Evergreen Girls
“Oh, YOU like hiking and camping? I didn’t think that you would be into that?”
The comment came from a friend after hearing about one of my latest camping trips. It was around the time that I had joined a club for adventure seekers in college. There were no other black people in the group, and there were fewer women in the club than there were men. The club was a reflection of what I commonly saw when I laced up my boots and went hiking. Unless I was in the mountains of the diverse multi-cultural melting pot that was Los Angeles, California, I was almost always the only black female hiking in a sea of paler faces out in the woods. (more…)
The Week I Lived Without A Phone
Photo by Petras Gagilas via Flickr
I noticed a change in my behavior that weekend in the woods. I had noticed the crisp air and the clear pale blue sky that sat above the tops of the tall green treetops. I had seen every lizard that hid in the dark cool cracks on fallen logs where dead trees gave way for new life to live and find shelter, and I could truly appreciate the thousands of dazzling white lights that nestled themselves against the black abyss that was our camp’s ceiling. I would look at all that surrounded me, and when I glanced at my fellow campers to discuss nature’s wonder, I saw faces glued to iPhones, eyes looking at front facing cameras, and fingers tapping impatiently as their owners waited for Wi-Fi.
I noticed that I had missed out on so many Snap stories that weekend, and realized that I didn’t really mind as much. I was in the woods, and not having a phone with me kept my focus there. I realized that the best time to have your phone stolen was right before a camping trip in the woods. (more…)
What To Bring Camping As A Vegetarian
Camping while vegetarian or vegan is actually extremely easy. I recently packed way too much amazing food options with me on camping trip to Big Bear, California and had enough food for use as leftovers when I got back. So grab a cooler and your camp gear and take a look at some ideas to take with you on your next camping trip.
Here are some meal ideas.
BREAKFAST
Quick breakfast meals such as instant oatmeal, bagels with veggie-friendly spread, and fresh fruit and fruit salad are always great options. (more…)
Going Into the Wild
It was early morning. I stuffed a few changes of clothes, some camping supplies and plenty of water into a backpack and rolled up sleeping bag that is said to help a person withstand temperatures below freezing. I laced up my hiking boots, left another reminder of where I would be for the next couple of days for my mother on the counter and headed off up north with some friends to the half burning trees of Yosemite. (more…)
The Top Five Staycation Ideas
Looking for interesting ways to vacation without breaking the bank? Try these five staycation ideas to keep the summer fun going.
1. Go on a geocaching adventure.
Geocaching was first coined by Matt Stum on the “GPS Stash Hunt” back in 2000. It is an outdoor treasure hunting game that uses GPS-enabled devices. Those willing to partake get to navigate a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (a container) hidden at that location. Geocaches can be found all over the world, so there are bound to be some hidden around your own town.
Just remember, if you take something from the geocache (or “cache”), the rule is that you leave something of equal or greater value in the same spot and then write about your find in the cache logbook by going to Geocaching.com. To learn more about Geocaching, visit the website.
2. Create a makeshift water park.
Forget heading down to an actual water park and spend way too much money on tickets and overpriced food and try turning your backyard into the ultimate summer paradise……Read More
