Welcome to July 2020! We’ve made it to a new level of Jumanji, Quarantine Edition! All joking aside, all of this does feel a bit unreal and crazy, doesn’t it? So now that it’s summer, I’ve been contemplating how summer activities with the grandkids will be different this year. I began going through pictures from last summer, realizing we would be forgoing all of the baseball games and Disneyland trips and concerts in the park. No more “movie days” with the grandkids, or shopping sprees. It made me sad until I began to figure out other ways to enjoy the summer.
One of the things my family has always been big on is recreation. My grandparents made sure their kids knew how to relax and have fun, and that attitude has been passed down for five generations now. So, by the end of Winter, I was lining things up: Hawaii in April with my mom; camping with a dear friend in May; a week in June at a casino with my sister and our best friends, drinking and overeating; my 52nd birthday in July; a huge party for my daughter’s 30th birthday in August. On top of that, in February, I bought my four-year-old granddaughter, her very first Disneyland annual pass for her birthday. We planned to go every Friday since that’s “my” day with them. When this pandemic hit, and we all knew quarantine was inevitable, I had to cancel it all. And, because of my “family legacy” of recreation above all (LOL), we’ve had to figure out ways to have fun and relax, all while staying healthy and practicing social distancing.
I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors. Once the “stay at home” order was eased, and outdoor activity was okayed, I embraced it. I’ve always loved going off-road in my Jeep, riding dirt bikes and quads, hiking, or sitting in the sand at the edge of whatever body of water was close by. But I have found myself engaging in these things more often, and often dragging the grandkids along with me! My granddaughter says we are “Jeep Girls,” and she continually giggles when we take the top off the Jeep and head up some dirt road in the hills. She is my willing sidekick on whatever adventure I decide to go on. We have another advantage in that my parents retired at the Colorado River. So, we have a private home we can visit, as well as our dock on the river. We have been spending more time than usual at the river, visiting my parents and boating.
Keeping in mind that anything other than staying in your home has some risk, I have some suggestions for “less risky” activities this summer:
- HIKING. If you enjoy going off-road in your vehicle, or hiking, I recommend the “All Trails” app! It has versions for iPhone and Android, and you can choose hiking or four-wheel-drive trails. You can then pick the level of difficulty, length, and features you want, i.e., streams, views, rock climbing, etc. You can choose dog-friendly or kid-friendly trails, whether it is a “loop” or a “point-to-point” trail. The best filter, though? You can choose whether or not the trail is light, moderate, or has heavy traffic! It will show you the closest trails to your location, and you can read reviews and look at photos from other users. It’s a great tool, and I’ve used it everywhere. I have traveled to find places to go in my Jeep.
- FISHING. Most rivers and lakes are open at this point. Never been fishing? It’s a great time to learn. Find a more remote area to enjoy by looking online or reading Facebook groups local to your area. It’s worth driving a little further to get away from crowds. If you’re taking the grandkids, find out what kind of fish you’re likely to catch and teach them something new. Hint: trout like salmon eggs, but lures work better with bass!
- CAMPING. Have you ever slept in a tent? With your grandkids? I recommend it. You will be surprised at the things they talk about while you’re lying in a sleeping bag, shining the flashlight on the ceiling of the tent, and making animal shapes with your hands. Local county parks are a great way to try tent camping for the first time. Pack an ice chest, grab a sleeping bag, and head out. A two-person tent can be had for under $50 from Walmart. Even better is finding a lightly-used one on Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up. And the new ones are much easier to set up than the tents I remember from my childhood! They are practically pop-up tents! Still cautious about going to a campground and possibly needing to share facilities with others? Have a backyard campout! Get a portable fire ring and show your grandkids the beauty of hot dogs cooked over the open flame, followed by s’ mores.
- ON THE ROAD. Take a scenic drive! You can find adventure without ever having to leave the safety of your car for those who are still leery about being in public. Do an internet search for the most scenic drives in your area, and set out to explore them all! Even on the less scenic drives, beauty can be found. I have traveled all over parts of the US and Canada on my Harley without ever taking an Interstate. Two-lane roads offer some of the most unique and charming views and towns, and it is worth taking the time to travel them.
Even though the Coronavirus and social distancing have changed our plans, it doesn’t have to ruin them. There may not be any summer camps for the kids, travel ball tournaments, or block parties with the neighbors, but there is still plenty to do to make this summer the best. Enjoy and stay safe and healthy!
TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.