The idea to create this blog came to me long before today. This blog is the result of a lifetime of experiences being active, traveling and – specifically – doing things that are “outdoorsy.” From hiking to camping to running to kayaking, I have usually been surrounded by white folks. There’s nothing wrong with white folks enjoying the great outdoors, but it begs the question, where are all the black and brown people at? Why aren’t they / we camping under the stars? Why aren’t they / we visiting state and national parks? Why aren’t they / we being exposed to the beauties of the world? Why do I not feel more connected to the land, to the elements, to the directions, to the indigenous ways of knowing and being of my ancestors? This blog is a start to explore and try to answer some of those questions for myself and maybe for you, too. I’m not always going to say things nicely, I’m probably going to write something that offends you at some point, but I’m going to do my best to be critically honest with you, with me, and to be open to feedback along the way. All I ask is that you do the same if you’re taking the time to read this blog. And so it begins.
