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Reflections on Martin Luther King Day

1/7/2021

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With the coming of Martin Luther King Day this year we have a lot of thoughts swirling around.  If you didn’t realize this yet, we are two white parents with 3 biological boys and 5 adopted kids.  Our adopted kids cover a wide range of skin colors.  Additionally, we have lived as a family in the Dominican Republic and Abby spent time growing up in Africa.  These experiences in particular, combined with the current state of affairs in the US, have launched us into an anti-racist journey.  Part of that journey connects to our love for the outdoors.  We’ve been listening to, reading and learning about issues around black/brown faces in wild places and really want to be a part of that discussion. (Please know that we are on a journey.  We haven’t arrived and don’t believe we ever will-it will be a lifelong journey.  Have grace with us and know that our hearts are deeply for the children in our care.)So until recently I had no idea that many black/brown people didn’t feel comfortable in the outdoors and in particular, on public lands.  I did realize that we didn’t often see them when we were hiking, biking, boating etc.  I noticed how our kids stood out.  In the unusual event that we would see a black person, their presence jumped out at us.  I knew they weren’t out there but I didn’t really know why.  That’s my white privilege.  I don’t need to know or wonder about it.  I have wondered about the reasons why.  I made some assumptions which might be partly true.  But then I ran across a few podcasts that really helped me to better understand the deeper reasons that many black people don’t feel comfortable in those spaces.  I’ll share those resources in a minute. It’s important to us to engage in the conversation around black/brown faces in wild spaces because those are our kids.  Even though we are white, we are shepherding people of color into adulthood in the US.  We have to engage in this.  We want our kids to grow up loving the outdoors and feeling comfortable being there.  We want to be a part of removing the barriers that black people feel in regards to spending time in our public places.  Being a part of change in this area is tricky.  I’ve educated myself enough to know that I need to tread carefully here.  I can’t work out of a “white savior” mentality.  I have to acknowledge that I don’t have the answers.  We are seeking ways to be a part of the solution instead of just morphing it into another ugly situation.  On the other hand, we have some real skin in the game (no pun intended).  Our kids, whom we love deeply, are people with black/brown skin.  We need to be part of this movement. So, not a lot of answers here.  We are just at the beginning.  Mostly we wanted to invite other white people into a learning and growing process with us.  We want to ask to be included in the conversation.  We would hope to be able to use the skills we have in exploring the outdoors to make those spaces more welcoming and open to people of color. Here are a few resources we have been exploring in this area.  Maybe they will help you on your anti-racist journey.  Or maybe you are a person of color working for equity in this area and are willing to engage with us.  Thanks for being here with us.  Let’s make our public lands truly for each and every American.
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First Name Basis Podcast  https://firstnamebasis.libsyn.com/305-anti-racism-in-the-wild  This podcast, First Name Basis, comes from Jasmine Bradshaw, a black woman who is graciously walking people through how to be on an antiracist journey.
Meat Eater Podcast  https://www.themeateater.com/listen/meateater/ep-230-a-difficult-conversation  -As weird as this may be, Steven Rinella of The MeatEater podcast speaks with Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro (https://outdoorafro.com/about/), about their mission and purpose and why there is a need for a group like this.
Outdoor Afro https://outdoorafro.com/about/ -a group working to create safe spaces for black/brown people in the outdoors.  We would love to see a chapter start up in Spokane!  Can we partner with anyone on that??
The Black Outdoors https://www.theblackoutdoors.com/ another group working to make outdoor adventures accessible to POC. 
Thanks for joining us on this journey!  There’s room for all of us out there.
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Free ski school at Lookout Pass

12/8/2019

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If you are interested in teaching your kids how to ski, then you should really consider Lookout Pass.  They  have an awesome Free Ski School program that runs from January through March.  It really is free - you just have to register and make it to one of the first three sessions, and then after that you can get a free lesson every Saturday during the program.

Rentals and lift tickets are not included (if you want to keep skiing after the lesson, you need to buy a ticket), but they are some of the cheapest in the region at only $37 for a full day for youths aged 7-17.  If your kids are under 7, then they are free!

skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school

Lookout also has a really nice beginner hill that has an appropriate slope and is contoured to keep beginner skiers from going off into the trees.  It's also off to the side, which is safer because you don't have more advanced skiers coming through at faster speeds.  And while it is a little further than some other hills, the fact that it is just off I-90 means that the road there is always well maintained. 

It's a great ski hill for families, so go give them a visit!  Here is a link to their Facebook page as well.

www.facebook.com/SkiLookoutPass/
kids skiing at lookout pass
This was the first time on skis for our Colombian kids. They loved it!
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Kokanee Viewing at Sullivan Lake

10/24/2019

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Late fall can be a tough time to find outdoor activities for kids - it's getting cold for many things, but there isn't enough snow yet for traditional winter activities.  But here is a fun idea - drive north of Spokane to Sullivan Lake and view the Kokanee as they spawn in Harvey Creek.

A Kokanee is actually a Sockeye Salmon that no longer has a outlet to the ocean - they are "landlocked".  Like their anadromous ancestors, these fish travel upstream and turn red as they spawn and die.  This makes them very visible and very beautiful to see, and there are a few local areas where you can partake in this natural wonder.

In Idaho you might consider Trestle Creek on the north side of lake Pend Oreille, and from Spokane you can head north to Sullivan Lake.  Harvey Creek enters this lake from the south end near Noisy Creek Campground.  From the bridge across this creek you can can often see plenty of fish, or walk a short ways upstream to find the pool of fish pictured to the right.

This is a fun fall excursion, because you are going to see lots of fall colors in the trees, and nearby there is another very short hike to Sweet Creek Falls at the rest stop of the same name on Hwy 31.  If you want to stretch your legs more, there are quite a few hiking options along the shores of Sullivan Lake and surrounding area.  A day trip to the NE corner of WA has plenty to offer.

#kokanee #sullivan lake #noisy creek #harvey creek #spawn
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Time to gear up for ski season!

10/23/2019

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Winter seems to have come a bit early to the Inland Northwest, but this may have you thinking about skiing!  Skiing is fun, but expensive.  One great way to save a little money is to go the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski swap.  This event has been going strong for 50+ years and has over 22,000 items for sale.  It is happening this Saturday from 9a-5p and Sunday from 9a-noon at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center.  Admission is $5, but kids 12 and under are free.  If you need some gear for this coming season, be sure to check it out.  You can get more details at skipatrolskiswap.com/

#skiswap #mtspokane #skiing #skiseason
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Come see us at Auntie's Bookstore!

7/10/2018

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We will be presenting this Wednesday at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA.  This is our final presentation for the summer, so don't miss it!  We'll give our best tips for creating a memorable family vacation in the parks, including some specifics for Yellowstone, Glacier, and Utah's parks, then finish up with plenty of time for Q&A.  Hope to see you there!
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Seminar at Mountain Gear - Spokane, WA

6/27/2018

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If you are in the Spokane, WA area this Thursday and want to see our slideshow on our best tips for family vacations in the National Parks, then stop by Mountain Gear at 7pm.  We'll give our presentation, which also includes specific tips for Yellowstone, Glacier, and the UT Parks, and then follow it up with plenty of time for Q&A.  See you there!
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Book Release & Presentation

5/31/2018

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Our newest book in our series on taking kids to the National Parks will be released tomorrow, June 1st!  Adventuring With Kids: Glacier National Park will be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Mountaineers Books, and at many local book sellers that you can find at IndieBound.com.

Also, if you'd like to hear a 30 minute presentation on our best tips for taking kids to the parks, together with some specific recommendations for the parks that we've written about, come by the Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley, WA this Saturday June 2nd.  See you there!
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Book Review: "The Pursuit of Endurance" by Jennifer Pharr Davis

5/26/2018

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By Harley McAllister

By all accounts I am the most average of endurance athlete.  The longest I’ve run is a mere 10 miles, and the longest I’ve hiked is less than a week.  So, when I saw that Jennifer Pharr Davis, a world class athlete, had written a book titled “Endurance”, I wondered if much that she had written would apply to me or hold my interest.  However, once I started reading, I found it hard to put this book down.

The author once hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, over 2,100 miles, in just 46 days.  That amounts to 47 miles per day on average, and she held the record for the Fastest Known Time for 4 years.  The record has been beaten now a few times, but not by much, and in this book she sets out to provide the backstory of the various record holders in an attempt to find commonality and glean some lessons learned about what it is in the human soul that makes such accomplishments, such feats of endurance, possible.  The results are fascinating, and not a little bit surprising.

After meeting many of the luminaries in the world of “Fastest Known Times” for the nation’s longest trails, what is striking about them is not their similarities but rather their dramatic differences.  Each is an individual with a unique story to tell, and the author tells these stories in a way that is introspective at times and insightful always.  I sort of expected the book to be a summary of what the latest science has to say about nutrition, training, preparation, etc., and how it could be applied to weekend warrior athletes like myself.  What I found instead is that endurance has much more to do with the human spirit, and that its lessons and applications can be applied not just to my fleeting athletic endeavors, but much more to the inevitable ups and downs that life will throw our way.  Each of the athletes in this book has had their own life struggles to deal with and found answers on these long trails that helped them overcome and lead better lives.  In reading about them you will come to see not how different from them you are, but how similar.  And in reading about their lives, challenges, and accomplishments, you are sure to find something in there that inspires you and encourages you to endure on your own long journey of life.
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Bald Eagles at Lake Coeur d'Alene, a new record has already been set!

12/6/2017

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One of our favorite ways to get outside during the winter is to head over to the Wolf Lodge area of eastern lake Coeur d'Alene to watch the eagles.  What's exciting is that this year is already a record breaking year, with over 300 eagles already counted at the start of December - still a couple weeks from the normal peak time period.

Every year from Thanksgiving to the end of the year, dozens of Bald Eagles congregate in the area to feed on the dying salmon that have finished spawning in the lake.  These salmon, called Kokanee, are red salmon that became trapped in the lake when the dam was put in.  They survived the entrapment but no longer make their journey to the ocean, which accounts for their much smaller size compared to their oceanic brethren.
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They spawn in the lake and then die, providing a veritable feast for scavengers as they head into the depths of winter. 

If you are familiar with this area, Higgens Point is one of the more accessible and popular viewing areas.  Or, head to the Wolf Lodge exit on I-90 and take Hwy 97 south along the shore of the lake.  Any of the parking areas and viewpoints in this area of the lake can provide a place  to see these stunning birds, but if you are interested in a map and even a video to help you find the best spots, then the Spokesman Review's Outdoors Blog has some great information that you can find by following this link.
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#optoutside with Free Admission to WA State Parks this Black Friday!

11/22/2017

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If you are looking to get outside the day after Thanksgiving instead of face the hordes of shoppers, then think of heading to a local State Park.  We have a number of great ones in the Spokane area - from Riverside State Park to Mt. Spokane State Park.  Both have great trails for mountain biking, hiking, or cross country skiing depending on the conditions.

Normally access would cost you $10 per day or $30 per year, but on Friday the Parks are offering free admission to help you #optoutside.  So go out and take advantage of this opportunity!
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Mt Spokane is a beautiful place in winter with miles and miles of trail to explore - all close to town.
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    Authors

    Harley & Abby McAllister
    We are an adventurous husband and wife duo who drag our 4 feral kids outside with us as often as we can stand it!  Maybe, just maybe, our adventures will help inspire you! 

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