Spring 2021
Active Living: The Retirement Years
Inside This Issue: HEALTH: COVID-19 3… Safe Entertaining Tips in a COVID-19 World Staying Active 2… 5 summer activities to enjoy solo 4… Discover the different ways to golf 4… 9 things to bring to the beach 5… How to choose a kayak 6… Fall in love with trail running 8… Trending Vacation Habits in 2021 CAMPING: 6… 10 food safety tips 7… How to build a campfire A Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald And the Anacortes American
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a meal to
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Active Living | Staying Active
5 summer activities to enjoy solo
B
eing alone doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Here are five solo activities you may want to try this summer. 1. Visit a museum. You can choose which exhibits you want to explore and not worry about being rushed or taking too long. 2. Go to a movie. You can visit either a theater or drive-in. Once the movie starts, it won’t matter if you’re there alone. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. 3. Relax at the park. Take some time to read, do yoga or picnic at a nearby park. 4. Attend an outdoor show. Once you’re there, you’ll
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be swept up in the festive atmosphere and probably won’t need anyone to talk to. 5. Eat at a restaurant. Take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal without having to worry about
making conversation. This summer, don’t deprive yourself of doing things you like just because you’re alone. Instead, make the most of the season and be open to trying new things.
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Safe Entertaining Tips in a COVID-19 World
Active Living | HEALTH: COVID-19 one family of six that has already been living in close quarters poses a lower risk than three couples living in separate houses. Also be mindful of your guests’ approach to prevention; if they’ve been less cautious than your family or vice versa, there’s room for conflict and anxiety.
D
epending on where you live, restrictions on social gatherings may become less strict in the coming weeks and months. However, many experts caution that care should still be exercised when groups of people gather. After an extended period
without social contact, it’s only natural to crave some interaction, and there’s evidence that doing so can be advantageous for your mental health. However, taking precautions to protect your physical health, along with your guests’, can make for a more enjoyable event.
Keep it contained. Limit your gatherings to a few close friends or family members so if someone does get sick, contact tracing is a simple task. Keep in mind the number of samehousehold families you invite is more important than the number of people in that family. For example,
Celebrate outdoors. Indoor event spaces naturally have less circulation, meaning potential airborne particles hang around longer. Planning your gathering outdoors helps ensure more free-moving fresh air and more space for guests to spread out and practice social distancing.
shared food and the risk of cross-contamination. You can provide disposable table service (plates, silverware and napkins) and singleserve beverages, but skip the cooler everyone reaches into. Provide ample, well-spaced seating. Encourage guests to keep some distance from one another by creating comfy seating arrangements. You can take it a step farther by asking guests to bring their own chairs and
directing each family to set up its space a reasonable distance from the next. Make cleanliness a priority. Create stations with hand sanitizer or wipes. You can also create a makeshift sink to minimize trips to the restroom indoors. Provide a spray bottle or bucket, soap and paper towels near the hose for quick clean-ups. Find more advice for navigating pandemic life at eLivingtoday.com.
Encourage guests to bring their own. It may go against all your good hosting inclinations but hosting a bringyour-own party eliminates
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9 things to bring to the beach I
Active Living | Staying Active
Discover the different ways to golf
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laying golf is a fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family members. However, there’s more than one version of this sport that can be enjoyed. Here are some of the different ways golf can be played.
GOLF
Traditional golf has been played since the 15th century, and you don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy it. If you’re looking for an activity that will challenge your mind and stretch your legs, golf is a great option.
MINI GOLF
Playing mini golf is a fun and quirky way to improve your putting skills. Mini golf courses come in all
f you want to plan a funfilled day at the beach, here are nine things you should bring.
shapes and sizes and can be located both indoors and outdoors. No matter what your age or skill level, you’re sure to have a blast.
1. Sunscreen. Bring a waterresistant variety with the right level of protection. 2. Water. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Pack an insulated bottle and refill it often.
DISC GOLF
If you’re a fan of playing Frisbee, you’ll probably enjoy disc golf. It’s played much like traditional golf, but instead of hitting a ball into a hole, you throw a disc into a raised basket. The goal is to get the disc into the basket in as few throws as possible, which is easier said than done.
FOOTGOLF
Footgolf is a sport that combines aspects of soccer and golf. The objective of the game is to kick a soccer ball into a 21-inch diameter hole in as few turns as
3. Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with a good pair of shades. possible. The average game lasts about two hours and is sure to get your blood pumping. Regardless of your age or athletic ability, there’s a golf game that’s right for you. So, grab your clubs, discs or soccer balls and get moving.
4. Hat. Choose a wide-brim type that covers your face and neck. 5. Food. Pack a hearty lunch and nutritious snacks to keep up your energy. 6. Shoes. Bring a pair of sandals or water shoes to protect your feet from the elements.
7. Entertainment. Liven up your day with books and beach toys. 8. Hand sanitizer. Disinfect your hands regularly without having to walk to the bathroom.
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Lastly, make sure to bring towels for everyone in your group.
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9. Shelter. Set up an umbrella or beach tent to provide shade when the beach isn’t crowded.
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How to choose a kayak I
f you want to purchase a kayak to paddle along lakes, rivers or the ocean, here are some things to consider.
kayaks have an open cockpit which makes them more stable. This also makes getting on and off them easier.
USE
DIMENSIONS
There are different types of kayaks available, and each is designed with a specific environment in mind. For this reason, you should first determine where and how you plan to use your boat. Will you be taking long trips on the ocean or short excursions on small lakes and rivers? If you plan on fishing, some kayaks come equipped with additional features such as rod holders and accessory mounts. If you’ll be kayaking with a partner, a tandem model could be a good choice.
SEAT
There are sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks. The sit-in ones have an open cockpit inside the hull, and once you get in, you have to slide your legs under the deck. This helps keep cold breezes and water out of the boat. Conversely, sit-on-top
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The kayak’s length, width and depth will affect its speed and maneuverability. Shorter models are easier to carry, but longer ones are faster and have more storage space. The depth and weight of the kayak should suit your build and accommodate the equipment you want to carry.
TRANSPORTATION
It’s important to remember that you’ll have to transport your kayak to the water. Rigid kayaks are heaviest but more durable, folding kayaks are lighter but lack speed, and inflatable kayaks are great for casual use but take more time to set up. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to sit in a few different kayaks. This way you’ll ensure the one you choose is comfortable.
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CAMPING
Active Living | Staying Active
Fall in love with trail running
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rail running can be demanding, but many people enjoy it. Here are a few reasons this activity is becoming increasingly popular.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
On top of the usual benefits of running, trail running challenges your balance, coordination and agility. Running up and down hills, along winding trails and over uneven ground forces you to adjust your pace and stride to suit the terrain. Not only is it more challenging, but the movements are less repetitive, reducing the risk of injury. In addition, the ground is softer than asphalt, which limits the impact on your joints.
MENTAL HEALTH
Running over uneven terrain requires intense concentration. This increased focus helps you stay present
instead of thinking about your worries and concerns. Plus, the benefits of spending time in nature and breathing in fresh air are well known. For these reasons, running outdoors can help relieve stress and keep your mind sharp. What’s more, the beautiful scenery helps you focus less on your performance and more on enjoying yourself. In particular, it encourages you to slow down and admire your surroundings. There’s nothing like reaching your destination and being rewarded with a stunning view and a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, trail running is simply fun. It can be freeing to let yourself trample through dust, mud and puddles. If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, head out and explore the trails in your area this summer.
10 food safety tips
I
mproper storage, handling and preparation of your food when camping can make you sick. Here are a few helpful food safety tips to keep in mind during your next outdoor adventure. 1. Prepare and freeze several dishes ahead of time. The frozen meals will last longer and help keep other items cool. 2. Place high-risk foods such as meat and dairy products on the bottom of your cooler. Keep more frequently used items on top to avoid leaving the lid open. 3. Use ice blocks, as they melt slower and last longer than ice cubes. 4. Place your cooler in a shady spot away from direct sunlight, and regularly add ice to make
5. 6.
7. 8.
sure your perishables stay at or below 39 F. Eat fresh or cooked meat within two to three days. Wash your hands often, especially before cooking and after touching raw meat. Keep your cooking utensils and work surfaces clean at all times. Rinse meat, vegetables and fruit with potable
water before eating. 9. Use different utensils for each food item, and never let raw meat touch cooked meat. 10. Immediately cover and store leftover food in your cooler. Lastly, you should keep in mind that high-risk foods that are kept out of the cooler for more than two hours have too much bacteria to safely consume.
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CAMPING
Active Living | Staying Active
How to build a campfire
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itting around a roaring campfire with friends and family is one of the best parts of camping. Here’s what you need to do to build the perfect fire. 1. Gather everything you need including a lighter or matches, newspaper, fire starter, kindling and firewood. 2. Crumple up a few pieces of newspaper and place them in the firepit. 3. Place a fire starter or a few twigs on top of the crumpled newspaper. 4. Arrange the kindling in a cone shape over the nest of newspaper and twigs. Leave enough room for air to circulate. 5. Light the newspaper or fire starter in several spots using a match or lighter. 6. Build up the fire with logs using your method of choice once you have a steady flame.
In some campgrounds, you’re not allowed to gather wood directly on site. Instead, you must purchase it from a reception desk or local store. If you’re allowed to collect firewood at your campsite, make sure to only gather it from dead or fallen trees. Finally, be careful to not pitch your tent too close to the firepit. If there’s no designated firepit, make sure your campfire isn’t near any low-hanging branches or bushes. BYKCOCI886JB exp 4/22
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Trending Vacation Habits in 2021
(Family Features) For many travelers itching to go on vacation, 2021 offers plenty of opportunities to get out and go. Whether it’s heading to an outdoor escape or simply cozying up with loved ones while enjoying beautiful surroundings, vacation is on the minds of many.
To identify which trends will shape travel in the coming months, the 2021 Vrbo Trend Report includes data from its global vacation rental marketplace along with survey data from family travelers around the world. When planning your next vacation, keep these trends in mind:
Finding Fresh Air Heading to the great outdoors for adventure has long been a popular form of travel, and that desire will likely reach new heights in 2021. After a year of isolation and uncertainty, many families are seeking the serenity and escape of the wilderness. According to the survey, four of the top five emerging destinations for 2021 are near lakes, rivers or streams where families can camp, hike and fish. At the top of the list, Emory, Texas is a mere 1-hour drive from Dallas where Lake Fork offers a top fishing spot for catching largemouth bass, and the area is also home to the A.C. McMillan African American Museum. Also making the list are the Red River Gorge in Slade, Kentucky, which is near Mammoth Cave National Park, and Abermarle Sound, the gateway to North Carolina’s legendary Outer Banks where bald eagles, peregrine falcons and other storied high-flyers are abundant.
After a year of canceled trips, families may have found a new appreciation for travel and have a sense of urgency to finally take that dream vacation. When travel eventually returns to preCOVID-19 levels, many are thinking big - 65% of respondents plan to travel more than they did prior to the pandemic, 33% are willing to spend more money than they traditionally would and 54% said they’re more likely to book that bucket list vacation. Among those willing to increase their vacation budgets, 46% plan to travel farther away, 55% said they’ll stay longer and 48% have nicer accommodations in mind.
Cozy is King
A Vacation Do-Over
The search for coziness and comfort is nothing new for travelers, and the pandemic has only heightened the need for a place to relax and unwind. Many travelers looking for an escape are opting for cabins and chalets, which provide inviting spaces to make family memories while also recharging the proverbial batteries.
It’s common for families to miss their loved ones and seek to make up for lost time. In fact, according to the survey, families who were forced to cancel a 2020 vacation are ready for a redo. Rather than scrapping their trips entirely: • 44% of travelers who had a trip canceled due to COVID-19 plan on rescheduling the same vacation. • 54% of respondents who want a redo said they were looking forward to going to that destination. • 31% of travelers said the main reason they want to go on their next trip is to spend quality time with family.
Typically nestled near mountainsides, forests and lakes, cabins and chalets offer open spaces so families can leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life while being surrounded by natural beauty, which has led to an increase in demand for Vrbo cabins by nearly 25% and chalets by almost 20% year-over-year.
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Going All Out
Find more 2021 travel inspiration along with the full Trend Report at vrbo.com.
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