The GET OUTSIDE Weekend Update will be taking next week off.
Why? Because all of my attention will be focused on turkey, pumpkin pie, and family.
However, here are two quick ideas to connect with family and friends ... and hopefully help shed a few pounds in the process.
On Thanksgiving Day, participate in the StellarOne Drumstick Dash. They have a great motto that rings true: "Move your feet so others can eat!" All proceeds help the Rescue Mission feed the hungry.
Choose a hike you've never done before and get exploring. It is hard to beat quality time with family and friends spent outside.
GET SHOPPING WITH THE ROANOKE OUTSIDE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The holidays get us pretty excited about new outdoor gear. Not only is there a good chance someone will wrap up a special new item for us, but it is also a time to get out and get our hands on some of the newest and coolest offerings.
It's the perfect reason to visit Roanoke Region outdoor retailers. And the money you spend locally is good for everyone. According to the 3/50 Project, $68 of every $100 spent at locally-owned stores returns to the community. (We also tossed in a few online buying options that support local organizations.)
To get you started with your holiday shopping (or wish list making) we asked area retailers to help us identify some of the best items to give and get this holiday season - and best of all, you can buy each of these items right here in the Roanoke Region!
Ski helmet use has been on the rise in the past 10 years, but more people need to get in on the trend.
Helmets save lives. Wearing a helmet can reduce head injuries by 30 to 50 percent, according to the National Ski Areas Association.
The most commonly reported reason for not wearing a helmet is impaired vision. Some skiers and boarders feel helmets affect their peripheral vision and thus their reaction time. A study released by The Wilderness & Emergency Medicine journal, investigated whether ski helmet use affects reaction time to peripheral stimuli and found that ski helmet use did not increase reaction time to peripheral stimuli.
A helmet does not prevent all injuries, so you still have to ski responsibly. But adding an extra layer of protection is a good bet.
Cities across the United States, including Roanoke, are finding that good biking helps attract top talent.
Young people today drive significantly less than previous generations, according to a flurry of recent reports compiled by Citiwire.net. Even Motor Trend magazine notes that young professionals flocking to cities today are less inclined to buy cars and "more likely to spend the money on smartphones, tablets, laptops and $2,000-plus bikes." Annual miles traveled by car among 16- to 34-year olds dropped 23 percent from 2001 to 2009 according to a study from the Frontier Group. The Federal Highway Administration found the miles traveled by drivers under 30 dropped from 21 percent to 14 percent of the total between 1995 and 2009.
And that trend is being recognized in the Roanoke Region as well. In August, the National Complete Streets Coalition recognized Roanoke for its transportation policies, including those for bikers. Roanoke has added free bicycle parking in seven public garages and increased the number of shared lane markings or 'sharrows' on city streets.
In just a couple of minutes you can brew a fresh cup of coffee on the trail with the Grower's Cup system.
Grower's Cup includes specialty coffee in a variety of brews that are individually packaged for portability and are super light and compact.
Each coffee pack is flat and no larger than a half-sheet of paper. The packages and small plastic "pot" are nearly weightless - and will hardly be noticed in your pack.
Grower's Cup coffees brew nicely and have a smooth taste. I tried both the mild and medium blends and liked both.
Got Energy?
The GET OUTSIDE Weekend Update will be taking next week off.
The holidays get us pretty excited about new outdoor gear. Not only is there a good chance someone will wrap up a special new item for us, but it is also a time to get out and get our hands on some of the newest and coolest offerings.
Ski helmet use has been on the rise in the past 10 years, but more people need to get in on the trend.
Cities across the United States, including Roanoke, are finding that good biking helps attract top talent.
In just a couple of minutes you can brew a fresh cup of coffee on the trail with the Grower's Cup system.
