Greetings! 

During the month of October, we celebrate Free Thought, along with Breast Cancer Awareness, Health Literacy, and Eat Better - Eat Together.  All are observances we commemorate in our own way. I urge you to do the same, as you live your life to the fullest!!!

This has been the BEST summer of my life!  And, reaching the great age of 65 has been the best CELEBRATION of my life!  I am truly Living Life to the Fullest!!! and invite you to do the same!

As you may recall, this summer I have visited Belize, Sailed the Caribbean Sea, saw the Broadway Play - Motown the Musical, Hiked, and Biked the Grand Canyon while learning about the geology and history of the canyon, visited the Hualapai Nation on the west rim of the canyon and walked the Sky Walk...a 4,000 foot glass bottom bridge hanging over  the canyon, and learned about various Indian cultures ...all with great friends. What more could I possibly ask for?  Let me also include all the great tour guides; at the Grand Canyon Field Institute (Slim); and, the Bright Angel Bicycle Shop. The great hospitality at the Grand Canyon Railway Lodge, and our wonderful shuttle driver, John, and his staff, at Flagstaff Shuttle in Arizona...what an awesome group of people who helped make our adventure tour very memorable, with a great time had by all!!! 

A BIG Thank You to Audrey Peterman for putting me in touch with Deidre Tutt Jackson, Administrative Office at the US, Dept of the Interior, National Park Service.  More about that relationship, and upcoming projects in the next newsletter...plus so much more that is happening! And, for interviewing me on the BlogTalk radio show she hosts, the morning after our return to talk about our tour.

Oh!  I must tell you this:  All of those with me were age 50+, and several of us 60+. We all hiked the Bright Angel Trail, (a 1 1/2 mile down into the canyon) something that less than 10% of all visitors to the Grand Canyon accomplish! Sylvia hiked the Bright Angel Trail twice in 2 days. Carla moved closer to overcoming her fear of heights. Glendora commemorated her marriage at the Grand Canyon, 10 years ago.  Adrienne honeymooned at the Grand Canyon 30 years prior.  The day after we got home, Cheryl flew back home to Anchorage, Alaska, Ian won his age class in a 5k run, and I was interviewed on BlogTalk Radio by show host Audrey Peterman.  The second day after returning home, I scouted the hike trail for the monthly 1st Saturday hike, and ushered at the Fox Theater. During the week, I will fly to Detroit to help a friend drive back to Atlanta, and will be ready for the hike at the highest state park in the state of Georgia (see below for the hike details) for the October hike.  How about those apples!!! 

As a group of African Americans visiting the Grand Canyon National Park, we are among the less than 1% of African American who visit the National Parks, of the  5 million people who visit the park annually.

Yes, we are OPALs...Older People with Active Lifestyles. And, we are, like the gem, very colorful and unique, as you can see from the sampling of photos, taken by our professional photographer Ian Welch.  Visit his web site for more photos.

Another thank you to everyone who has joined me, and those who continue to wish me wonderful birthday greetings through cards, facebook, calls and emails, as I continue to celebrate this banner year. I graciously accept them all, and wish all my friends with September, August and October birthdays well wishes!! 

OK, there is no time to waste, I am off to the next exciting adventure, which I will tell you about next month... See ya!

As always, my wish for you, is that you have everlasting love, peace, and joy. Check out my Lifestyle Blog and my Facebook posts as I try to find time to keep them updated.

Hope you can join me and others in some of the many fun things we do.  See what is listed below, and visit the Atlanta African American Adventurers website to see the many activities in which you can participate this summer!  Don't forget my OPALs website and OPALs Meetup.  If not for you, pass it on to someone who may benefit from the activities.

I want you to know, that when you join us on any of our adventurous activities, wholesome happiness, good health, and fantastic friendships are the result!

Love Much, Laugh Often, Live Long & Strong...

 

P.S.:  Sorry for the tardiness...as I complete this newsletter, I am away.  So, it is short and as things calm down, I will include more info.
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OCTOBER 5 | Saturday 
Black Rock Mountain

Rating:  Moderately Difficult

Distance:  2.2 Miles
Departure:  8:00a.m.  Sharp

(Approx. 1.5 hour drive)

 

Meeting Location:  Hong Kong Mkt

5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd.

Norcross, GA 30093

 (Get Directions)  

 

The Tennessee Rock Trail, the one we will hike, winds its way through some of the highest and most lush forests. It is the park's most popular hiking trail. The trail offers a perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with the area's rich woodlands and vistas, that on clear days span over 80 miles into the neighboring states of both North and South Carolina, as well as Tennessee, including views of Georgia's Brasstown Bald and Clingman's Dome in Tennessee.

 

We will discover an Appalachian boulder field, an actual remnant of the great ice age which ended more than 10,000 years ago. We will also walk a quarter-mile along the Blue Ridge Mountain backbone, following the Eastern Continental Divide. This great ridge separates rainfall flowing eastward toward the Savannah River and the Atlantic Ocean from rainfall trending westward toward the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico...wow!  Remember learning about the 'Continental Divide' in school...we will actually be walking alongside and crossing it!          Read more...

 

As always, wear comfortable shoes (no new shoes!) and layered clothing.  Bring plenty of water, snacks and your lunch.You can get a free Georgia State Park Parking Pass at your local library, check it out as you would a book. 

Oct 11 - 13      The Great Georgia Air Show  (see below)
Nov 9     Baby Boomer Blast
Dec 30 - Jan 1 New Year's Eve Celebration in Belize (CANCELLED!)
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A day hiking pack has shoulder straps but no waist belt. It is intended to carry lighter loads on the shoulders for which you do not need the waist support.  There is no definitive line between hiking day packs and back packs - starting with tiny packs, you can find larger packs, some with hydration systems, some with added chest strap, and some with waist strap.
A day pack is only carried on the shoulders,and should be big enough to hold all the gear you need for the day, i.e. lunch, snacks, water, first aid kit, wipes, hand sanitizer, bug spray, sunscreen, etc.. It should not be much bigger - or you will be tempted to fill it up, meaning more weight and strain on you.

My favorite is the Flash Pack from REI...check it out.

Uphill Hiking Tips

Take small steps going uphill
Purposely taking shorter steps than usual will reduce the effort per step to push your body and pack weight upwards and will make the ascent easier.

 

Downhill Hiking Tips

When going downhill, slow down by leaning back a little and putting your weight down through your heel on each step. It all depends on the type of terrain you are descending, the main thing is to not rush.

 

Love much, Laugh often, Live Long & Strong!