Rails-to-Trails’ Conservancy has compiled resources, provides information on the latest on trails, walking and biking and the COVID-19 pandemic (Visit /COVID19), and provides a trail-finder website and app,, which is free for anyone to use to find particulars on more than 37,000 miles of multiuse trails nationwide, including trail maps, walking and biking directions to get to the trail, and contact information for local trail management organizations (visit ).Īn ideal trip (and also one of my favorite bike tours ever) which hits all of these criteria (driving distance, biking, camping) is the Cycle the Erie, an eight-day 400-mile, fully supported biking/camping trip, from Buffalo to Albany, operated by Parks & Trails NY.
But it is critical that we do so in ways that will keep us safe and minimize the spread of the pandemic,” writes Ryan Chao “It’s vital that people find ways to engage in physical activity during this time the benefits to our immune systems and our mental health are significant. I’m thinking dude ranch: lists 100 in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and such, but there are also dude ranches as close as the Catskills and Adirondacks of New York State, like the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch (30 Cherrytown Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446), Ridin’ Hy, year-round inclusive ranch resort in the Adirondacks Preserve near Lake George, Warrensburg, NY 12885, 51, and the ever-popular Rocking Horse Ranch (reopening June 12, 600 State Route 44/55,Highland, NY 12528, 87, 84,Think cottage on a beach (Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard are my favorites), or a cabin in the wilderness. I’m thinking hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking.
I’m thinking camping (koa.com) or glamping (). Instead of a station wagon, pack up the SUV and set an itinerary that revolves around national and state parks, wildlife areas, nature preserves. This is a great time for a throwback to the 1950s family road trip to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Here is the antidote the cabin fever: I’m thinking outdoors, great open vistas, clean air. People are burning with cabin fever but may be cautious. The same is true for people venturing out of doors. With the worst of the crisis appearing to be coming under control, state governments are looking to gradually reopen and lift their lockdowns. These are uncharted waters for the travel industry, and for travelers. But it just goes to show: Don’t put off experiences, especially not a trip of a lifetime. The coronavirus pandemic has made that experience impossible this year. This time last year I was getting set for an around-the-world Global Scavenger Hunt which took me to places that I had always hoped to see – Petra, Jordan Myanmar Vietnam Morocco, just to list a few.