Have Some Fall Fun with These Safe/Socially Distant Activities

Truck drivers have had a particularly tough year keeping the nation’s supply chains connected. After a spring and summer filled with challenges brought on by the historic pandemic, you may be looking forward to doing something fun now that the weather will be getting a little cooler – but you still want to be safe! Here are some suggestions for what to do to enjoy some recreation or reconnection time for fall 2020.

GET OUTSIDE

Any form of travel still carries risks; however, travel by car, especially to outdoor areas where you can maintain social distance, is considered one of the safer activities in this new normal.

If you are looking to avoid the crowds but need to leave your living room, consider these natural gems scattered across the Southeast. Many of the trails and natural attractions have reopened to visitors recently but check the links before going to make sure you can make the most of your trip!

Congaree National Park, Hopkins, South Carolina

Home to one of the largest tracts of wetland forests in the United States, the Congaree National Park offers a variety of activities, from nearly 25 miles of hiking trails to canoeing and fishing. For more information, click here.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia

It’s quite possibly one of the most scenic road trips in the Southeast, offering stunning views of the highest mountain peaks in the eastern United States. More information is available here.

Savage Gulf State Natural Areas, Palmer, Tennessee

The Great Stone Door in Savage Gulf State Natural Area offers the best overlook on the Cumberland Plateau. With more than 15,000 acres of wide-open space, this park has over 50 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and rugged terrain. It’s located within the South Cumberland State Park system about an hour and a half north of Chattanooga, so it’s easy to get to for a quick day trip. Learn more here.

Bankhead National Forest, Double Springs, Alabama

Located less than two hours north of Birmingham, the Bankhead National Forest offers the opportunity to explore canyons, waterfalls and thick forests. For more information, click here.

Cloudland Canyon State Park Rising Fawn, Georgia

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, this park offers impressive views of the nearly 1,800-foot gorge carved into the rocks as well as sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, hiking and mountain biking trails. Some parks are experiencing large crowds on certain days so check here ahead of time for availability if you want to camp.

FAMILY TIME

If you’re ready for a break from the road and would rather stay close to home (after all, you do plenty of driving professionally!), here are some ideas for having some fun without leaving your zip code.

A camping staycation

It always feels adventurous to sleep in a tent under the sky! A simple pop-up dome tent runs less than $100 at most outdoor stores such as Academy Sports or Cabela’s. Gather the family around and tell stories, eat s'mores or lie on a blanket to look at the stars.

Get creative in the yard

Buy some chalk for the kids to create hopscotch grids or just draw on the driveway. Outdoor games are another easy way to connect and have fun! Sets for wiffle ball, croquet or badminton are less than $50 at Walmart or other stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Plan and cook meals together

Get the whole family involved in planning fun or adventurous meals like pasta dishes, piled-high pizzas or whatever makes their mouths water! When everyone agrees on a meal, work together in the kitchen to cook it.

Play a board game

This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are TONS of fun and funny family games out there that cost less than $30. Browse Amazon and pick a few to try!

DATE NIGHT

As a truck driver, you may spend a considerable amount of time on the road away from home, so you’ll want to make sure to connect with your special someone when you can. With the Coronavirus pandemic, date night needs to look a little different, but here are some socially distant ideas that just might be perfect for you.

Drive-in movie dates

Snuggle up in your vehicle or take some chairs to watch a movie outside at a drive-in theater. If you don’t want to hit the concession stand, take along your own popcorn, beverages, and sweets! Currently, there are about 325 drive-in movie theaters still operating in the United States – check here to see if there’s one near you!

Stargazing with your sweetie

Watch the weather and plan for a night with clear skies to head away from city lights to catch the best view of passing comets, shooting stars, planets and space stations. There are still some meteor showers through the rest of the year; check here for dates and best viewing opportunities.

Rediscover your town

Play tourist in your own city by taking a walk downtown or checking out a different neighborhood. You’ve probably driven past many notable sites without even knowing it! Take a walking tour and stop to read historical markers along the way.

2020 has been a challenging year so far, but don’t let it end without adding in some fun for yourself, your family or your significant other. Averitt Express is always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our associates. If you’re not already part of the Averitt family, check out our opportunities – we’re confident we can offer you a better truck driving career with extra advantages you might not even know you’re missing! Connect with us today!