OUTDOOR LIVING
Getting outside while social distancing
Life changed very quickly for many of us as we headed indoors for social distancing. However, that doesn’t mean we have to give up nature. There are many ways to keep space while still getting outside in a responsible way. • Start a garden! Now is a per- • Ride bikes on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Cycle, jog, fect time to start plants and or use inline skates along the seeds outside and will give Pumpkinvine. Check out the you fresh produce in your own wildlife and plants as you travbackyard. el. • Learn about wild edibles. Nature grows many food items if • Hike at Bonneyville Mill. Look for signs of beaver activity, exwe’re willing to look for them. plore the pond, or run the trails. Check out “Eat Wild” on Facebook for regional suggestions • Take up bird watching. Warand edibles. blers and other migrating birds are passing through right now. • Try weaving with natural Grab an app like “Merlin Bird items. Make a cardboard or ID” and get to know our feathstick frame with yarn. Add a ered friends. warp with yarn and then use natural items to weave your • Learn about native wildflowcreation. ers. Flowers are blooming in the woods! Do you know their • Check out a spring activity names? on 52thingsoutside.org. Find 10 spring specific activities like smelling the earth, dancing in • Explore Riverbend Park. Go fishing or hiking at Riverbend the rain, or discovering a tadPark. pole. During this time, trails are most likely open, but amenities such as playgrounds, bathrooms, and some courts may be closed. Try to stay at least six feet away from other groups and avoid crowded areas. While our lives have changed wildly in a short amount of time, we can use this time of cleared schedules to connect to our natural surroundings. Perhaps some of our outdoor activities will stick beyond social distancing. Top right –Bonneyville Mill is beautiful in May Middle Right – Trillium often blooms in May.Bottom right – Birds are hopping this month! Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and podcasts as “Loose Parts Nature Play”. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area. 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | May 2020
