Outdoor Afro SOS! - Spotted on Sunday
Teresa Baker shared on Facebook her time today at the Muir Woods National Monument.
Where were YOU spotted on Sunday in the outdoors?
A Day of Service on the Underground Railroad
Contributed by Brother Yusuf Burgess
This event is part of Children and Nature Network's Serve Outside September Campaign. The Green Tech High BOYS OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TEAM (BOLT) will participate in the clean-up and landscape improvement of one of Albany, New York's African American historic landmarks. The Stephen and Harriet Myers House (official name: Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence) is a historic home located in Albany County, New York. It was built in 1847 and is a 2 1/2-story brick townhouse in the Greek Revival style. It is three bays wide, and the basement is separated from the first floor by a sandstone water table. The second story features eyebrow windows set in the brick frieze cornice. Stephen Myers, who lived in this house in the mid-1850s, served as Chairman of the Vigilance Committee of the Underground Railroad of Albany and had actively assisted escaped slaves for nearly 30 years, starting in 1831.
Stephen Myers lived at this address with his wife Harriet and their four children. The Vigilance Committee was active in the Underground Railroad from the early 1840s into the 1850s and met at this location when the Myers' lived there. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and the state historic register. It is also listed on the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail and a site on the National Park Service's National Network to Freedom.
The Boys Outdoor Leadership Team will assist Paul Stewart, co-founder of the Underground Railroad History Project in a Day of Service on the grounds of this historic property. Trash removal and lawn maintenance will take place on Sunday 9/11 from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM. More than 25 boys from Green Tech will participate in the clean-up, under the direction and supervision of Brother Yusuf Burgess.
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists who were sympathetic to their cause.
Event Location
Boys Outdoor Leadership Team (BOLT)
321 Northern Blvd.
Albany, NY 12210
Tight Lines: Sport Fishing in Alaska
The Seward Military Resort has four deep-sea halibut charter fishing boats that operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Resurrection Bay. All fishing equipment is provided, but we obtained our fishing licenses, and brought our own rain slicks and rubber boots to help keep dry in anticipation of wet weather.
On the morning of the trip, we woke just after 5AM. Once outside, we were uncertain about the trip’s status, as we felt strong gusts of wind at the resort suggesting the bay might be too choppy for fishing.
But the resort, who arranged our reservation, assured us that there were plenty of fish to catch without care for the weather, so our trip was definitely on. I learned that in Alaska, you must be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. There is the local saying, “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” No truer words.
Around 6AM we boarded the bus with over a dozen other fishers and headed to the bay. Along the short drive to the docks, we received some instruction about what to expect then headed to our waiting boat, the M/V Top Cover for a lesson in salmon and halibut fishing 101.
We motored out of the bay for about 30 minutes, while I napped under the effects of a few preventative doses of Dramamine.
Among the group, I was especially glad to meet Luther and Eric, two brothers who shared with me they fish all over the globe in search of the best catch. And they were here in Alaska to fish each day for the entire week.
Our boat used sonar to detect fish, and sea depth. So we stopped at spots to drop our lines that had the best likelihood of catching either salmon or halibut.
To catch salmon requires constant, shallow, up and down movement of fresh bait on the line. Halibut requires a two-pound weight on heavy gauged line that drops to the bottom floor where these fish dwell. This kind of fishing is not of the pedestrian variety, and was definitely a workout!
At first, the bites on the boat were mainly rock fish and cod, and after hours of moving around the bay, with few of us catching the prized fish, we became uncertain about how the day would turn out. On top of that, the weather became very unstable.
The ocean swells moved our boat up and down several feet, and rain whipped us from every direction. It was necessary at times to set aside the poles and go inside the cabin, or hold on to avoid going overboard! Eventually, rain found its way into my boots, and through my clothes. Without the constant exertion from the movement of my pole, my body started to chill. We noticed these weather conditions also meant few other fishing boats and charters besides ours were on the bay that morning.
After several determined hours of moving around the bay guided by sonar in search of fish, we experienced more inclement weather, yet the views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife were stunning with sea lions and puffins on the horizon. But eventually with patience, we each began to have tight lines!
“Fish on!” we called out when we had a bite.
“Color!” we shouted, as reeled fish came close enough to the surface to be in view.
With these calls, the charter staff rushed over to help bring in the fish with their nets.
It was in the last two-hours of our journey that I caught all my fish for the day. Mark and I were proud to reel in halibut, salmon, rockfish, and cod. But there were two salmon that got away from me -- a real bummer, and now I can fully appreciate the saying that describes, “the one that got away.”
In the end, our group returned with dozens of fish, and headed to the resort fish house to fillet and vacuum seal our catches. We shared beers, filleting tips, and lots of camaraderie along the way.
After all the processing was over, with our fish was packed away in the resort freezer, Mark and I set-up a portable stove outside our room to cook halibut cheeks, a favorite delicacy, with lots of butter and garlic with new friends Luther and Eric -- a wonderful sea-to-table experience.
On my last night in Alaska, I went to bed grateful for dryness and warmth, but also for the exciting adventure of the trip to America’s last frontier.
And I cannot wait to return.
Outdoor Afro is grateful for Mark B. who hosted such an amazing and fulfilling tour of Alaska!
Click to follow my trip from the beginning!
Greenway Ride a Success!
In collaboration with the East Bay Regional Parks, Urban Tilth, and Richmond Spokes, Outdoor Afro helped to produce today’s “Greenway to Greenway” community bike ride.
The ride was suited for all ages, and designed for riders to explore the benefits of local “green” transportation corridors that also connect us with nature.
Our group assembled at the train station, where our bikes were checked by cycle wizard Brian Drayton, founder of Richmond Spokes. After a brief intro and safety talk, we cruised 14 miles along the Ohlone and Richmond Greenways.
We stopped along the way to learn from naturalist Bethany Facendini of the EBRP the many different plant and animal species that thrive along the corridor.
Effortlessly, we rode through the cities of Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito then arrived in Richmond, where we were welcomed by the staff of Urban Tilth, who provided a delicious chicken kabob barbeque and refreshments.
Doria Robinson, the passionate Executive Director of Urban Tilth, gave us a tour of butterfly and vegetable gardens created and tended by her local staff who are transforming their neighborhood, with great pride, one seed at a time.
Thank you Doria Robinson, Brian Drayton, and Bethany Facedini for coming together to create yet another powerful experience connecting community with nature.
Read more about the Richmond Greenway and view more pictures!
What "greenways" exist in your community?
Hiking in Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park
Ice Age Hiking in Alaska
After our visit to the wildlife refuge, we leisurely moved along the scenic road toward the coastal fishing town of Seward that edges Resurrection Bay along the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. We landed at the Seward Military Resort, a popular yet understated destination for US active duty or retired military personnel and their guests.
The manicured grounds were beautiful, yet sensible. And they have a selection of yurts, guest rooms, or townhouses from which to choose. Since Mark is a US Army officer, it was an easy selection – and a perfect location for our planned activities. They also had an impressive Fish House I now realize was a key amenity to stage our activities for the next day.
But first, we took a tour by car around Seward then stopped for a bite to eat at Marina Café for some crispy halibut fish and chips. With calories to burn, we headed down the road for a 
hike to Kenjai Fjords National Park to visit Exit Glacier. It is one of the few places in the area where you can safely witness up close an ancient glacier with Ice Age origins that still re-shapes the landscape, and observe how plant life adapts to the barren rocky land exposed by a glacier’s retreat.
At the park, I appreciated that there were several trails from which to choose, from flat and easy to challenging. We decided on a self-led one-mile gradual climb though a cottonwood forest to a scenic edge of the glacier. On our way back, we chose a different route, where we carefully traversed rocks over a gentle river to access the terminus of the melting ice.
Once we arrived, we stood in front of the vast blue to take it all in and capture the scene in photos. We had already noted interpretive signage that warned visitors not to stand under an overhang of ice, as it can fall without warning, so we were careful!
Up Next: Adventures in Fishing Alaska Waters
An Alaska I Never Knew
Alaska is not much for words.
It is entirely about the experience. We have all grown up with the iconic byline of Alaska rendered on a US map in a tiny square smaller in scale than the state of California, almost as if an afterthought. But the state is much bigger than you think.
Wildflowers with Denali in the background
For years, the image of Alaska simply conjured up for me an unknown territory of unforgiving cold. But for many others, Alaska is imagined with much more complexity and considered the last American frontier.
The Alaska I finally experienced last weekend awed me with its tensions between immaculate natural beauty, deeply rooted Native culture, and sense of respite from the urban experience. But it also divulges a potential for peril for those not careful. Respect for nature in Alaska is simply not an option. And I learned quickly that for those who live, earn, and thrive in Alaska; they have discovered and adapted to the ways of the natural world that yield endlessly satisfying benefits.
Mark, a friend of many years and native of my hometown in California, generously shared a slice of his adopted state with me last weekend. It was a quick yet carefully planned trip that allowed me to sample a variety of opportunities to experience what this great state holds in abundance. We saw plenty of wildlife, hiked among ancient glaciers, and fished for Alaska’s iconic salmon and halibut.
Arriving in the evening, we drove to the cozy resort of Alyeska where we would stay the first night. It is located just off the scenic Seward Highway in the town of Girdwood, part of the Municipality of Anchorage. It is the premier destination in Alaska for visitors and locals alike. Nestled against the awe-inspiring Chugach Mountains, in view of many glaciers, the resort offers year-round adventures and activities.
We dined our first evening at the Double Musky Inn down the road that had a down-home Cajun theme. Yet we decided on two local specialties: a delicately flavored white salmon and a pork loin with rhubarb sauce. Each were butter-knife tender and delicious.
The next morning, we ventured to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, an organization that provides land and refuge for orphaned, injured, and ill animals that cannot survive on their own in the wild, and educates visitors about Alaska's wildlife. In the mile-long path through the refuge, we saw bears, elk, moose, reindeer, porcupines, protected birds and wild felines. There, I felt fortunate to safely observe and capture in photos some of these important native species:
A Moose and a Brown Bear
After a morning of viewing inspiring wildlife, we meandered by car southwest several scenic miles between mountains and mineral dense turquoise lakes toward the town of Seward to explore Kenai Fjords National Park’s Exit Glacier at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula.
Next Up: Our Hike among the Ice Age
Outdoor Afro is in Alaska!
Hi Friends! I am off now on a four-day run in Alaska to take a quick survey of some of the adventure and beauty the state offers.
We have a full itinerary that includes hiking along glaciers, viewing wildlife, and halibut fishing.
Please follow us on Twitter (Hashtag #OAAK) to follow our moment-by-moment adventure. Expect photos as we go and a full blog once we return next week!
Discovering Important History During Our RV Experience
Our last stop before turning in our teardrop trailer on Sunday was to check out nearby Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. It was our intention to learn about gold panning and history of the California Gold Rush.
James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley known as Cullumah by the Nisenan Indians who lived in the area sustainably and peacefully. But Marshall’s discovery led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere, and it was the spark that ignited the rapid appropriation of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.
But as my children and I moved about the site, we were surprised to learn about a nugget of African American history in the area: The Monroe Family.
According to Bill, our interpreter, Monroe was the grandson of Peter and Nancy Gooch, who were freed from slavery when California became a state in 1850. The Monroe family in particular became successful fruit farmers and prominent property holders in Coloma. The family grew and prospered with an estate that grew to eighty acres.
For decades, the Monroes were well liked and respected for their integrity, good citizenship, and an insistence on being accepted as they were. The end of this pioneering family came in 1988 when its last member, Jim Monroe died at the age of 99. Unfortunately, the Monroes did not have any heirs; therefore their land is now preserved as a public monument to remember an important era of California history.
Follow the trip from the beginning!
Outdoor Afro Goes White Water Rafting!
It was important that our RV adventure last week include activities to help us explore the surrounding, beautiful Sierra Nevada region. And with the American River in sight of our campground, whitewater rafting made perfect sense.
Along the American River there are several companies that provide a range of whitewater experiences. You can choose half or full day tours, and each typically come with meals, and experienced instructors who educate and enliven the experience.
American Whitewater Expeditions (AWE) has been around for over 30 years as a premier whitewater rafting company on the American River. While researching them, I learned they have a reputation of quality rafting adventures that are exciting, relaxing, and most importantly, lots of fun! Jon, the owner, suggested we take the a full-day tour of the Lower Fork of the river, as a trip more suited for beginners, but with lots of whitewater action.
Our trip covered about 15 miles, which lasted five hours, with breaks to jump in the water for a cool swim, and a terrific spread for lunch along the river. Kaitlyn was the source of much laughter with her funny jokes and river trivia. The views of the canyon were simply stunning on this summer day, and we saw interesting birds and other wildlife, such as a rarely spotted river otter!
As the ride went on, I noticed my son cared less about his shoes, and became more courageous! And at the climax of the trip, at a rapid named Hospital Bar, he volunteered to “ride the bull” and take on the rapid while sitting atop the front of the raft. We all wailed with laughter as he predictably got soaked, and fell back into the raft with his feet sticking straight up!
Would we do it again? Oh yes! American Whitewater Expeditions provided an exceedingly competent, fun, and accommodating experience for all. AWE provides raft trips on the three forks of the American, South, Middle & North Forks, Class III -V, and I also discovered they have a fabulous family-friendly campsite on the river that provides camping the night prior, lunch on the river, and use of a thick foam sleeping pad. Two and four person cabin tents are available to rent, some with cots, tents if you need one, and great food you can purchase as a weekend rafting package!
So if you plan to visit the area, I highly suggest connecting with AWE to help you have an awesome rafting experience, but also to help create memories with your family to last a lifetime like I did with my son Seth.
Outdoor Afro thanks American Whitewater Expeditions and Sierra Nevada Photos, and their staff for sponsoring such a perfect day!
Next up: African American Connections to the Sierra Nevada!
A First Time RV Experience
It’s been a wonderful summer of travel for Outdoor Afro, but the highlight was our RV Trip to the Sierra Nevada region in California last week! Check out our story...
We are also thankful for proud sponsor American River Sales in Auburn, who generously provided us with one of their innovative teardrop trailer designs, and Ponderosa Resort who provided a rich base camp for our Sierra Nevada adventure.This was the first time my family had ever had an RV experience, and in this case, towed a trailer along to set up camp in an RV Park, in spite of many years of tent camping and a range of other outdoor experiences. Over these two years in the Outdoor Afro community and beyond, I have heard the persistent concerns about wildlife and dirt as being a major reason why some African Americans choose not to camp.
Therefore, it was our goal in this trip to demonstrate that you can camp with comfort, yet find ways to enjoy nature too! In our case, we planed to use both the teardrop trailer and a tent to accommodate the entire size of our party. Getting the trailer hitched was a cinch thanks to the expertise of Gary from American River Sales. The trailer came with a long list of cooking supplies, utensils, and a stove, so all we had to bring was food and our favorite spices!
With limited time to spend at a site like this, there was also a more immediate sense of welcoming among our fellow campers that maximized a sense of neighborhood. Everyone who walked by our campground had a friendly word or a smile, and our teardrop trailer was the belle of the ball with a design unlike any other at our resort.
Preparing our food was also a wonderful experience using the stove provided in our teardrop, I was especially inspired by Evanne Schmarder’s website the RV Cooking Show, where she shares many recipes tailored to the RV experience. The kids and I enjoyed creating together our own recipe improvisation of grilled salmon with garlic and lemon, steamed veggies, and a Caesar salad our first night. Yum!
My younger kids did not even mind doing dishes!