Sort of Legal

As I write this, we are in the middle of a global pandemic, the coronavirus, that has large swaths of the world, including the majority of the United States “sheltering-in-place.” In other words, staying at home.

But a pandemic isn’t the only time that we’re forced to stay at home when we’d rather be traveling or adventuring. There are budget constraints, family obligations, and you know, work, that can cause us to be stuck at home for a bit.

Regardless of the reason you are staying in one place for a while,you can still bring a little travel and adventure into your home life. These are all things I’ve actually done when feeling a little “stuck” in one place.

1. Move it on OUTside

Get outside…in whatever way you can and want to.  It’s one of the easiest ways to feel like you’re on a mini-adventure, and fresh air is a mood and creativity booster.  

If you’re feeling adventurous, hit your favorite local trails, or find your next favorite local trail with AllTrails, my personal favorite place to explore hiking options.  Even if you’re on trails you are familiar with, you can make it a little more adventurous by taking the route in the reverse direction you usually go, adding in a few jogging intervals, or exploring that side trail you’ve been by a million times but never explored.

Or if you’re craving something low key and close to home, go for a walk.  Pretend you’re in a new place and try wandering aimlessly with your eyes peeled for new and interesting things – maybe it’s an architectural detail on a house…or the sound of birds as you pass the park.  You’d be surprised what jumps out when you pay attention.

If you’re feeling more of a vacation mode experience: grab a towel, a beach read, and your favorite tropical cocktail and soak up some sun in your yard (or on your patio, for apartment dwellers).

COVID-19 Note: Since I’m writing this in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, I do feel compelled to remind you to ensure that your outdoor activities are legal and responsible.  Some basic best practices for outdoor activities are: keep away from crowded places, keep your distance from people, stay local, and “pack it in, pack it out.”  

This Barefoot Theory article on whether it is ok to hike during COVID-19 is one of the better resources I’ve read. She has chosen not to hike, but provides smart guidance for those who do.

2. Send a Postcard

No matter where you are, or what you are doing, there are people who would love to get a quick photo and update from you.  Send a postcard with picture of what you’ve been doing at and near home, or dig out one of your favorite photos from your travel archives. Sure, you could send a text, but your loved one is going to be a lot more excited to get “real” mail.

You can DIY with some thick printer paper, or use a phone application like the Postagram App that will create and send a postcard from photos on your phone for just a few dollars.  

3. Go International…In the Kitchen

Even when you can’t travel internationally, you can still eat internationally!  You could stick with basics like home-made sauce and pasta (Italy), tacos (Mexican), curry stir-fry (Thai or Indian, depending on the curry), or get a little funky with it, like trying this recipe for Vietnamese Egg Coffee, or this recipe for Cauliflower Chickpea tacos (Californian-American ;)). 

You’d be surprised how much you can do with the seasonings you already own, for example, cumin makes everything taste taco-ish!  If you need something you don’t already have, and can’t easily obtain, check Amazon, it has a decent array of international ingredients (and international cookbooks).

If you want to go all out, make it a full theme night for the country you are cooking from.

4. Plan a Future Trip

Having something to look forward to provides, hope, motivation, and a fun mental diversion. Whether that something to look forward to is backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, bicycling and wine tasting through Europe, a family road trip, or a meditation retreat in a yurt in Idaho is up to you and your budget. Click to view some of my top travel planning resources.

COVID-19 Note: It’s uncertain when recreational travel will be permissible and advisable again. Make sure to plan way in advance, select flexible booking options, and consider insurance (check to see what is covered to decide whether its worth it.)

5. Sleep Outside

Guess what?  You don’t actually have to go anywhere to go camping!  Dust off that tent, pull out your sleeping bag, and get ready for s’mores…in your yard. Camping at home can be romantic, family-friendly, or introspective solo experience depending on where you are at in life…and mood. 

If you’re somewhere like San Diego, California where you are unlikely to face rain or bugs, you can open air camp on a sleeping pad on the ground without a tent, or open air glamp on a blow -up mattress.  

6. Get Inspired

Get ideas and inspiration for your next trip or outdoor adventure. Books, movies, Podcasts, Pinterest (click to follow me!), Instagram (click to follow me!), and Podcasts are all low cost or free ways to find new places and challenges that call to you. A few of my personal favorites:

Movies/Shows: Meru, Idaho the Movie, The Dawn Wall, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Books: A Walk in the Woods, Wild, The Lost City of Z, Lonely Planet guides
Blogs: Dan Flying Solo, Barefoot Theory, Travels with Nano

7. Gear Up!

Times when you can’t go anywhere are a great time to gear up for when you can! Your future self will thank you when you’re not running around looking for hiking pants that fit the day before a weeklong camping and hiking trip. Not that I’ve ever done that…it just you know, could happen. 😉

Buying early also gives you more time to shop around for a good deal! Budget tip: If possible, buy in the off-season. For example, buy a lightweight backpacking tent in the dead of winter, or winter hiking boots in July. You’re likely to get the best deal.

Some previous articles I’ve written about travel/outdoor gear that might help you build your “to buy” list:

The Three Bags I Use for 99% of My Travel
Favorite Travel Purchases Under $25
What’s in my Hiking Day Pack
What to Wear on Day Hikes: A Guide for Women
Van Life Packing: Items I’ve Used, Shouldn’t Have Brought, and Will Buy
Ten Day Hiking Essentials and WHY You Need Them

8. Take an Adventurous Online Class

There are online courses for just about everything these days. Take one. And add a little sense of adventure, by taking one that makes you a little nervous. What will make you a little nervous is a very individual assessment.

Maybe you’re a hard core weight lifter that keeps hearing about this whole yoga thing – try an online yoga class! Or maybe you’re an avid yogi that’s always dreamed of going hiking solo – take an online class about it! Or maybe you’re a pro rec league soccer player but hide along the walls anytime dancing is involved – take an online hip-hop dance class! The possibilities are endless.

9. Make DIY Souvenirs

Finish, or start, that travel scrapbook or journal. Print those photos off your phone and hang them on the wall. Create that shadowbox.

I use for Printique for printing photos – speedy service and good prices for printing on quality paper (matters because lasts longer, looks better). New to the service? Use code: AF15OFFNEW for 15% off your first order.

10. Go on a Virtual Tour

Did you know you can experience museums, theme parks, and national parks all from your living room? Just add internet.

Google Arts and Culture is the best all-in-one place jumping off point. I, unsurprisingly, was drawn to the National Parks experiences. Google Arts & Culture isn’t the only option; many places offer their own virtual tours. Check out this list of museums, aquariums, zoos, and theme park virtual tours pulled together by Good Housekeeping.

How do you deal with being stuck at home? Any other ways you bring travel and adventure into your home life? Feel free to share in the comments.