As you read last week, the northern hemisphere experienced the summer solstice and people are heading for the great outdoors. According to the US National Park Service and National Today, June is Great Outdoors Month. There are still 4 days left in June to get outdoors and of course, that door is still open next month and all year long!
I wanted to title this post: “Can you handle the great outdoors after a pandemic?” But no, enough about it! While some countries still struggle with vaccinating its populace, here in the US, most of us are out and about with few restrictions. Make no mistake, Covid is still floating around, so stay safe if you find yourself around a crowd of people.
“During Great Outdoors Month, I encourage all Americans to explore our Nation’s beautiful outdoor spaces. As we enjoy the great outdoors — from national parks to our own backyards — let us rededicate ourselves to conserving our Nation’s natural spaces for our own well-being, and for the health, safety, prosperity, and fulfillment of generations to come.”
US President Joseph Biden
Ways to Celebrate “Great Outdoors” Month and Beyond
Take a Vacation!
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is prime vacation time. Join Marsha at Always Write for her weekly feature Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writing Challenge, where “vacation” is the theme. I commented back with now that I am retired, every day feels like a vacation. Hard to get used to but I’m managing!
“A vacation helps to relieve stress and boredom, gives us a change of scenery, provides us with adventure, and helps to bring us closer to the people in our lives.”
E. S. Woods
“Life’s short. Eat dessert first, work less and vacation MORE!!”
Lea Mishell
I enjoyed my first Hawaiian breakfast outdoors on the lanai of our beach-front hotel in Waikiki (Oahu) in January 2006.
Enjoy Backyard Birding!
Join a birding or photography group. I follow Spokane Birders on Facebook but I hope to find some fellow local birders to learn more about birds in the area.
“Bird watching is now North America’s second most popular outdoor activity (second only to gardening).”
Bernd Brunner
Hike a Trail!
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
John Muir
Over Memorial Day weekend, we got to take my daughter and boyfriend on an easy hike to a local area along the Spokane River called the Bowl and Pitcher, in Riverside State Park, just minutes from our new home. Large blocks of basaltic rock lie in and above the Spokane River in the formation of the bowl (right) and pitcher (left).
Bowl and Pitcher 
Bowl and Pitcher 
Us with the dogs
Walk the dogs. Another trail, just 100 yards from our house, is a great place to walk the dogs. With this heat wave, we get up early to accomplish this!
“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
Henry David Thoreau
Stop to smell a flower. Remember the earlier quote about gardening being the number one outdoor activity? Plant a garden or simply admire flowers and plants. Sharing for Cees’ Flower of the Day.
Backyard Echinacea 
Hubby checking out flowers at Ahwahnee Hotel 
Rainy rosebud 
Don’t get too close!
More Ways to Celebrate Great Outdoors Month and Beyond
In your backyard or neighborhood…
Throw a block party. Grill in your backyard. Start or join a walking club. Relax and read a book on your porch.
In public lands...go camping. Plan a picnic. Swim, kayak, or boat on an ocean, lake, or river. Go fishing.
Visit a National Park!
In case you REALLY need ideas, visit 125 Ways to Celebrate Nature!
Hot Blogger Links
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their favorite sunrise and sunset photos as we celebrated the solstice. Please visit a few when you get the chance and welcome three bloggers as they share their posts for the first time at Sunday Stills!
- Always Write
- And Anyways
- New And Miles To Go Before I Sleep
- Artistic Pension
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- Cee’s Photo Challenges
- Deb’s World
- Denyse Whelan Blogs
- Easin’ Along Image shared in comments.
- Equipoise Life
- Graham’s Island
- Hugh’s Views and News Image in Comments
- Jacquie Biggar, Author
- JP The Wide-Eyed Wanderer
- Kamerapromenader
- Light Words
- Light Write Life
- Loving Life
- Now At Home
- Philosophy Through Photography
- Picture This
- Photos by Jez
- Priorhouse Blog
- Retirement Reflections Shared on Instagram
- NEW Roaming About
- Stevie Turner
- The Day After
- Travel with Me
- Woolley Muses
- NEW Working on Exploring
Be sure to visit my Sunday Stills page for July’s themes. There is no challenge for July 4 as I celebrate Independence Day. But I will see you for Lisa’s Bird Weekly challenge on July 2. Get outdoors and be safe!
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