Black Friday Opt Outside Hike with Sierra Club Crossroads Group
When the Crossroads Group is not busy planning and leading our own outings, we often team up with other local groups to support and facilitate their outings. In past years, according to chair Lee Anzicek, the group has partnered with the Howell Nature Center, the Huron River Watershed Council, the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club, the Huron Valley Audubon and the Friends of Highland State Recreation Area. One of their regular partners is the Friends of Island Lake State Recreation Area.
Left: Hikers walk along the river in Island State Recreation Area. Right: photo of Island lake and trees. Photo credit to Laurie Mercure
For many years the Friends and Crossroads have teamed up to get folks outside at a park instead of inside at a mall the day after Thanksgiving with the Black Friday Opt Outside Hike. And each year it is a success. Typically there are 50 folks or more in attendance and this year was no exception. That's because many people understand that the best gift of all is a day in nature and it doesn't cost a thing.
Are you looking for something to do next year the day after Thanksgiving? Then mark your calendar and join the Friends of Island Lake and the Crossroads Group for a walk in the park.
Image: a large group of hikers gather together at Island Lake State Recreation Area. Photo credit Lee Burton
OptOutside Quest in Michigan’s Thumb Provides Peaceful Alternative to Shopping
While many people look forward to the Friday after Thanksgiving as a day of rest or a frenzied excursion to area shopping malls and big box stores in search of Black Friday sales, Columbus County Park in St. Clair County hosted an annual OptOutside hike in a peaceful setting for outdoor fans. The park is a former farm property in the center of St. Clair County, about 60 miles north of Detroit.
“Most years we are hiking with friends and like-minded environmentalists in a relaxing way on this day,” explained Sierra Club member Marty Habalewsky of Port Huron. “My wife Ruth Habalewsky found this about eight years ago. Since then, we have done this hike nearly every year.”
A family-friendly, leisurely walk, OptOutside Quest was first organized by Sierra Club member Kirsten Lyons when she was working as a stewardship director for the Friends of the St. Clair River, a conservation group. It continues as a joint activity of the Friends and the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission, where Lyons works today.
Three different hikes were offered, with some covering rolling countryside and panoramic views of the Belle River.
“Melissa Kivel, education manager for the Friends of the St. Clair River, along with her three children, ranging in age from 10 to 5, led our group, lecturing on native and invasive plants in a fun way,” Habalewsky said.
Afterward, hot chocolate and s’mores were enjoyed by all around a roaring firepit.
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Ruth and Marty Habalewsky have been Sierra Club members since 2003. Marty is an at-large member of the Michigan Chapter Executive Committee since 2020 and chair of the Blue Water Committee – a conservation committee of the Southeast Michigan Group, since 2016. Ruth was a founder of the Blue Water Committee in 2008 and has served as a steering committee member since then.
The Outdoors for All Act will help fund more outdoors projects, provide close-to-home opportunities to get into nature, protect more lands and green spaces and improve community access to outdoor spaces so that kids and families can #optoutside any day of the week, any time of the year. Find out more about Outdoors for All and tell Congress to pass the Outdoors for All act now.