Spending Thanksgiving out in the field or working outdoors? We know you’ll miss the Turkey Bowl on TV and that extra helping of Aunt Edna’s green bean casserole, but it’s good to know you aren’t the only one celebrating Thanksgiving al fresco. It warms the heart to think that Thanksgiving is being celebrated in different ways all over the world.

Serving Overseas. Soldiers serving in Afghanistan have a holiday tradition all of their own, and it starts at 5:30 a.m. with a blood pumping mountain hike followed by a round of volleyball. After the rigorous workout, custom has it that commanders serve dinner to lower ranks. No turkey for these service men and women; its ham, stuffing and sparkling apple juice. A little taste of home goes a long way.

Hiking With Family. Speaking of hiking, a nice family activity that gets people into the holiday spirit is to take a hike all together with some trusty supplies in a backpack. Gather pine cones along the way and pick out a tree. Slather peanut butter on a cone, drizzle with bird seed and tie the make-shift bird feeder onto a tree with twine providing much needed nutrients to birds throughout the winter and giving you fresh air and a nice workout.

Going on an Adventure. Be thankful that the sun is shining and pack a picnic, bundle up and head outdoors. If your crew is of the adventurous breed, go backpacking for Thanksgiving and get creative with lightweight takes on traditional Thanksgiving staples. You could start with a round of turkey jerky, followed with a dried cranberry trail mix, and pumpkin cookies for desert. Steamed or roasted Brussel sprouts travel well or even wrap sweet potatoes in foil and roast in a campfire. Have each person bring a topping be it pineapple, hot mustard and the indispensable marshmallow. Not many dishes to clean here!

Doing a Job That Must be Done. Although most of us are fortunate to have Turkey Day off work to spend with family and friends, there are many service men and women stateside that have serious jobs to do, even on holidays. Starting November 24^th highway patrolman and other law enforcement agencies are taking advantage of one of the busiest travel periods to enforce mandatory seatbelt use. The “Click it or Ticket” campaign will be fully enforced with law enforcement working overtime to ensure safety on the road.

Taking Advantage of Time Off. For folks who are fortunate to have time off around this holiday, the extra vacation days are more than welcomed. Especially at a time when winter weather is creeping in…or crashing in if you’re in Buffalo, NY. These folks take the long weekend or week to head to their favorite beach down south, where the weather is pristine and thoughts of turkey are replaced with margaritas and shrimp cocktail.

From Afghanistan to Arkansas, the proof is in the pumpkin pudding that there are an unlimited number of ways to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday outdoors. Something we can all be thankful for is that we have freedoms that allow us to celebrate the way that we see fit—and that is something to toast to!

Someone please pass the turkey jerky…