South Mountains State Park: IssaVibe Adventures Juneteenth Hike

 South Mountains State Park: IssaVibe Adventures Juneteenth Hike - 6/23/24

In 2017 three friends, Ali Steele, Lisa Colvin and Charles Gbenyon, Jr., went on a waterfall hike in North Carolina and noted that there were no Black people on the trails besides themselves. They discussed how important the outdoors is to both body and spirit and how to bring the experience to more people of color. That day the mission called IssaVibe Adventures was born. The Black-owned organization is based “on the principles of exposing Black people to various outdoor activities that are not very common for our demographic. We yearn to diversify nature through visuals, engagement, and making our people feel welcome and comfortable in nature.”

IssaVibe Adventures is based in Charlotte, NC and offers outdoor activities about once a month, including hiking, kayaking, yoga, and a “community unity” support mission for people experiencing homelessness. Anyone is welcome to join any event.

Charles Gbenyon was a keynote speaker at the Friends of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail annual Gathering in 2023 and all three founders led a roundtable breakout session. Mutual love for the outdoors and honest conversations came together for a wonderful learning time. 

Ali Steele, me, Lisa Colvin and Charles Gbenyon, Jr.

In 2024, IssaVibe held a conference in Charlotte called “Reclaiming the Outdoors” and Friends of the MST supported as a sponsor. The first day of the conference had speakers on topics from state parks to meditation techniques to outdoor safety to farming practices – another amazing learning and sharing time.

The second day of “Reclaiming the Outdoors” was a hike at South Mountains State Park and I signed up with another Friends of the MST member. We joined the IssaVibe folks (25 hikers in all) at the picnic parking area, and that’s when I realized that this would be different than any group hike I’d ever been on.

A hiker played rhythms on his djembe drum and did call-and-response as Ali led us on
High Shoals Falls Trail to the waterfall

It was a busy Saturday in the park and lots of other hikers danced along. So much excitement and chatter and laughter! There were many connections and one-on-one conversations as we walked along, crossing bridges on the ground and in our hearts.

High Shoals Falls

On the return hike we took the side trail to Big Bear Falls, a broad cascade that tumbles into a large pool and a series of smaller cascades and pools below. On a hot day, some sat on the rocks with their feet in the water, some waded, and some went all in.

Then Ali called everyone together and introduced his singing bowl. He led us in a Juneteenth remembrance of ancestors, chants, and breathing exercises – another new experience for me with a group of hikers. It was a very special moment.

We walked back to the picnic shelter for food and yoga as a flute played softly in the background. (I now had a whole new appreciation for this.) The food was a full-on cookout, not bring-your-own-cheese-and-crackers, and I stuffed myself. Sadly, I had to leave before yoga but I’ll plan better next time.

I’ve been implicitly taught that listening to the birds and the stillness of the forest, maybe stopping for a quick lunch, is how hiking is done (and I do enjoy that). But this day with IssaVibe showed me that of course there is more than one way to enjoy the outdoors. Singing, dancing, laughing, splashing, sharing and communing are all part of the celebration! The outdoors is for everyone and everyone should feel welcomed and included. I carry this experience with me now and try to see with new eyes.

“Nature is our greatest spiritual teacher.”
 ~Louie Schwartzberg