Let’s face it, summer 2020 was not what we all had planned. Weddings and flights were cancelled, family reunions kept at a distance, but despite stay at home orders and social distancing, the outdoors were there for us as an escape.
Across the country, bike and kayak sales are soaring through the roof. From national parks to local and city parks, park visitation is reaching new heights. The outdoors are giving people a sense of normalcy in these weird times.
We reached out to our social media community to see what they’ve been able to check off for their summer bucket list and what’s still left to do. Hopefully they’ll give you some inspiration for outings as we close out summer and enter into fall.
Strolling in Nature
Does the Bay community love to hike or what? Just don’t forget your mask in case the trails are busy! Our followers suggest:
- Hughlett Point Natural Preserve in Northumberland County, Virginia.
- The Appalachian Trail offers lots of great day hikes, like Maryland’s Annapolis Rock.
- Mason-Dixon Trail in Brogue, Pennsylvania offers great views of the Susquehanna River!
Eating the Bounty of the Bay
From blue crabs to locally grown produce, is it really summer without enjoying the bounty of the Bay? Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed Saturdays in the month of September as “Buy Maryland Seafood Days,” and we’re on board! Close out summer by helping support local watermen and fishing communities. Some of our oyster partners have even set up pick-up stations and delivery services around the region to get fresh oysters right to your table. Not into seafood? Tomatoes, corn, and so many other tasty Bay region treats are in season and ready to be enjoyed! Check out our Buy Fresh, Buy Local guide to find a farmers market near you.
Tunes of the Bay
One suggestion we got was to listen to Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore to help transition into fall, but don’t forget the tunes that remind us of the Bay! Whether by the water or dreaming of it, check out our Save the Bay Playlist or our playlist of rock songs you didn’t know are about the environment.
Give Back to the Bay
With many volunteer events cancelled for the foreseeable future, we were happy to hear that helping the Bay was on many of our members bucket lists! Bay enthusiasts have been tackling a variety of activities from picking up litter in their community, to setting up a BayRaiser to raise funds for critical Bay restoration. What can we say? Our members are the best!
Get Wet
Whether it’s enjoying a Chesapeake Bay beach (like Maryland’s Sandy Point or Virginia’s Chic’s Beach), wading into Richmond’s Belle Isle, or taking some time to paddle, there’s nothing like spending time on the water! Our members said they’ll be paddling Pohick Bay, the Washington, D.C. Waterfront, and the Pocomoke River and Patuxent River water trails to round out their summer.
Saddle up and Ride
Like we mentioned, bike sales are through the roof. Did you get a new bike and are looking for places to ride? Our members recommend the C&O Canal Towpath that runs from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD. If you’re up for the challenge, you can connect to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail via the C&O Canal and bike all the way up to Pittsburgh, PA! Our members also recommend the Virginia Capital Trail that links Williamsburg to Richmond with lots of pitstops for history and Bay buffs alike.
So, what’s your next adventure before summer comes to an end?
