With summer in full swing and restrictions still in place due to COVID, travel is a challenge. Although a last-minute beach vacation may not be in the cards, here are three ways to get into the spirit and enjoy the great outdoors this July 4th holiday weekend.

Hike your neighborhood national park: Leave the noise and the chaos of a crowded day at the beach behind and opt instead for a relaxing woodland walk at your nearest national park. Make it a day trip, or load up the outdoor gear for a night or two of camping. 

Camp out in your backyard: You can avoid the traffic entirely by staying close to home and setting up and outdoor adventure right in your backyard. Break out the tent and sleeping bags, and roast marshmallows for s’mores over a fire pit (or even the classic Weber grill). CfR pro-tip try a s’more with a peanut butter cup, it is delicious!

Plan a night of stargazing: Take in the wonders of the evening sky, with or without a telescope. All you need is a field far enough away from artificial lights, so only the twinkle of the heavens will shine through. Leave the electronic devices behind, but do look into a star chart ahead of time so you know what you’re looking for.

Soon enough, the hustle and bustle of getting back to normal will sweep away these quiet moments, so be sure to grab them while you still can!