Unquestionably, fall in Nebraska is one of the best times of the year to spend outdoors!
The days are getting shorter, the air is crisp, the crop harvest is underway; the leaves and other foliage are transforming into canopies of deep orange, bright yellow, and brilliant red.
And, look at those fall vegetable gardens! They are abundant with tender, brightly colored vegetables.
If you are looking for new and different opportunities where you can have fun, burn calories, get more Vitamin D, remain active, and maintain fitness, there is scarcely a better time of year to keep yourself and your family busy and healthy.
Why not take advantage of fall weather and activities?
Hiking, walking, running, peddling, pushing and pulling are even more enjoyable when the temperature is lower and the scenery is at its most beautiful.
Here are a variety of creative ideas for stepping outside during autumn.
- Turn leaf-raking and other fall yard work into enteraining family activities.
- Pick pumpkins at a local farm or pumpkin patch.
- Take a stroll along a haunted trail or through a corn maze.
- Go on a hayrack ride, perhaps it’s a haunted hayrack ride.
- Attend a bonfire gathering, roast hot dogs or marshmallows for s’mores.
- Visit an apple orchard, buy fresh apples or apple products.
- Decorate your campsite in a festive Halloween fashion.
- Snap photos of falling leaves.
- Head out for a weekend stay to one of our Nebraska state park areas; the crowds have left, the weather is cooler, the nights are excellent for sleeping under the stars, the fall colors are apparent and there are still plenty of activities to enjoy such as fall camping, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching and bird watching.
- Check the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website calendar for individual state park events. Naturalist programs, bird watching expeditions, living history demonstrations, fun Halloween functions, and other themed activities can make getting some fresh air and fitness even more enjoyable.
- Try accessible parks and trails in your area that you haven’t yet explored. Visit state, city or Natural Resources District (NRD) or websites to get information.
- Embed yourself in nature and fall foliage colors by floating a nearby water trail (stretch of river).
- Wet a line, catch a fish! Plan a fall fishing trip. Try for fall-stocked, skillet-sized rainbow trout in a public water not far from your home. Participate in the Game and Parks Commission’s Trout Slam. Autumn is a great time to catch many different species of fish as they vigorously feed building up fat reserves for the coming winter months.
- Broaden your hunting knowledge, refresh your hunting skills and pursue a game species you have not harvested or complete the new Upland Slam challenge. Maybe go on a fall wild turkey hunt in the Nebraska countryside!
- Forage for tasty, edible wild fall nuts, fruits and mushrooms.
Being active, staying fit and eating healthy are all important to ward off the sedentary accumulation of pounds and feel great! Don’t wait until the new year to make promises for the year ahead. Start early with the beauty of fall as your guide for overall wellness.
Venture outdoors for an adventure this autumn in Nebraska!
The post Fall Is For Being Outdoors! appeared first on NEBRASKALand Magazine.
