We had a heartfelt chat with Chris Douglas of Lee County, NC, whose love for food rivals his passion for the outdoors. While he’s known for his adventures in the wild, and for hosting Carolina All Out, Thanksgiving sees him swapping camo bibs for a camo apron, diving into meal prep alongside his wife, Genelle. Their cherished tradition centers around a beautifully roasted turkey.
“My family loves food and the Thanksgiving meal is an event that we all cherish!” Chris shares. “But would you believe that even though Thanksgiving Day is in the heart of our hunting season you won’t find me in camo bibs or waders in a duck blind or a treestand, but in a camo apron, busily prepping, cooking and cleaning alongside my wife for our meal event! Of course, with my outdoor background it wasn’t always like this, but I have come to find great enjoyment in playing a larger role in the meal!”
The turkey has always ruled the day for their Thanksgiving dinners. “We may veer off course from time to time with steaks or prime rib, but our fine feathered friend is most always the centerpiece to our tradition. He’s typically baked in the oven, but from time to time we’ll try something different—possibly grilled or deep-fried. But whatever method, you can bet he’s always going to be on the table somewhere around 12:30 pm on the fourth Thursday of every November.”
Being empty nesters now, Chris and Genelle find themselves listening to holiday music, sipping coffee or a glass of wine, and preparing for the afternoon festivities. “When the kids were at home, it was a chaotic but exciting affair, with people in and out of the kitchen, mingled smells of cooking meats, dressing, pies, and other delectables, music and singing, football pre-game shows in the background, and constant laughter. It was glorious!”
Now, their daughter is busy in her own kitchen a few miles away, baking pies and rolls and other dishes to contribute. “She is surely creating her own tradition that she, in turn, will be able to pass down to her children and grandchildren. This truly makes me happy!”
With the table set and laden with all the trappings of a holiday feast, Chris' immediate and extended family gathers for a prayer, thanking the Good Lord for His bounty, family, and the food they are about to demolish. “Yep, my family loves food, but more importantly, we love one another, and that’s what truly makes our Thanksgiving worth cherishing.”
We had a reel good time speaking about Lake Apalachia, a fall hidden gem fishing spot in Murphy, North Carolina, with Chris Douglas of Lee County, NC. Hailing from a long line of sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts, Douglas has traveled North Carolina (and the world!) on the hunt for fish, game, and adventure.
As the host, producer, and videographer of Carolina All Out for the last 20 years, he is our go-to source for all things outdoors, and we are thrilled to include his stories and recommendations as a re-occurring feature in the Carolina Traveler print and digital content. For the fall 2024 issue, we asked Chris to share insight on the best hidden gem fishing spots for enjoying fall foliage.
Watch Chris Douglas’ Lake Apalachia adventure on the Carolina All Out YouTube channel
Visit the Carolina All Out website
