Have you been perpetually, relentlessly and viciously bored this winter? Well, so have I. It has been very hard to manage the stress of school and the lack of mental breaks this year, so I have been trying to get outside more in order to bring some fun into this monotonous year. Although many things have been shut down due to COVID, I wanted to share some really fun and COVID-safe activities that have kept me busy.
1. Sugarloaf Mountain
Located just outside of Frederick, Maryland, Sugarloaf Mountain is an easy hike that is super fun! During the day, you can drive up the bulk of the mountain, and from the top parking lot, there is about a 15-minute hike to the summit. The view is stunning, and it is a perfect place for a picnic or a photoshoot! I went during sunset, and the gate to the upper parking lot was closed, so the hike is a bit longer from the bottom. So, I would recommend that you get there an hour before the sunset to make sure that you don’t miss it.
2. Violette's Lock
Just 15 minutes down River Road before you get to Bretton Woods, Violette’s Lock is a beautiful place to walk along the C&O Canal and also watch the sunset! (If you can’t tell at this point, I sort of love sunsets). You can either walk for a couple of feet or a couple of miles along this trail because it follows the canal. It is a great place to walk with pets, but watch out for horse poop because it is also a horseback riding trail! There is a parking lot right next to the trail so it is a very accessible place to watch the sunset.
3. High Rock Overlook
If you’re in for a bit of a drive, High Rock Overlook is a really cool place to take pictures and hang out! The drive is pretty, so it goes by quickly, but I would recommend going on a warm day! It was extremely windy and cold when I went, but we still managed to take a couple of pictures. There weren’t many people there, but I’m not sure if it was because of the cold temperatures or not.
4. Skiing!
If skiing (or snowboarding) is your thing, then it is for sure an amazing break from your daily routine! If you are looking for a day trip, Whitetail in Pennsylvania is a very easy drive (about an hour and 15 minutes from Potomac). The resort is very pretty, and there is a lot of outdoor seating for lunch! The rental line is a bit long, so I recommend getting there right when they open. If you are up for a bit of a longer drive, Wisp in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland is, in my opinion, the best skiing in our area. It is about 2 ½ hours away, but if you can make the trip, it is very worth it. I haven’t been this year, but Snowshoe resort in West Virginia is also very good. If you want a better look at Wisp, go check out my skiing vlogs!
5. Gravelly Point
If you are looking for a cute place for a picnic, Gravelly Point is the perfect place! You can look at planes taking off or play frisbee. After you finish with Gravelly Point and head back into the suburbs, check out the scenic overlooks on the side of George Washington Parkway! The views of the Potomac River are absolutely beautiful. I went over the summer, but if you dress warmly, you can definitely have a great time.
