Working Your Healthy Remote Habits Into a Busier In-person Life
This is a time of transitions, in more ways than one. The snowy season is turning into Spring, just as we seem to be turning a corner in our fight with the Covid-19 Pandemic. As the birds are making their way back North and human snowbirds who winter down south are returning home, families who could retreat from crowded cities and office jobs to the calm and quiet of rural escapes and remote work/school are now considering getting back to business, and to the urban bustles.
For these folks, this change might mean saying goodbye to some of the blessings of remote life: easy access to nature’s splendor, super flexible schedules, daily outdoor activities or leisurely breakfasts. But does it need to be goodbye?
Many of these quarantine habits that remote work/school allowed for are healthy habits. In the spirit of making the best of a challenging, saddening and unequivocally lifechanging year, it seems like it’s worth trying to keep up all the good routines and lessons we’ve learned.
For instance: say you’re returning to Boston, to in-person work, and a stricter day-to-day schedule. As the skiing conditions are deteriorating, keep an eye out for mountain biking and hiking in the outdoor activity gems that surround the city. Consider planning a Saturday outing to Blue Hill Reservation or Harold Parker State Forest in Andover for some of the best mountain bike trails in Massachusetts. Both venues feature miles upon miles of old logging and farm roads converted to rolling, rollicking single track that will get your heart pumping, and, more importantly, take you deep into New England forests and up to lovely vistas. Or, if you want to get your family out for some fresh air and a bit of perspective, consider a gentle hike at Breakheart Reservation on the outskirts of the city, from whose peaks you can look out over Boston and north up at the hills and valleys of New Hampshire.
Breakheart Reservation – Stephen Mandracchia
Or, say your home base Is Denver. Centrally located Washington Park (or Wash Park, as the locals know it) is a “fitness mecca” where you can grab a quick walk, jog or, as the weather gets warmer, swim or paddle board after work. With two lakes and endless green space, there’s an activity for everyone trying to grab a few minutes of fresh air and physical exertion.
Washinton Park, Denver – Courtsey of Denver Parks
Also think about putting some weekend getaways on the calendar. For those in Colorado, the options are virtually endless. The town of Breckenridge is a hotspot for all manner of exercise and adventure, all year round. Mountain biking trails abound, while the Breckenridge Nordic Center trails are open for hiking, running, and general fun-having as soon as the snow melts. And as we roll into summer, Breck’s Maggie Pond becomes a perfect destination for stand up paddle boarding or kayaking. To round out your weekend in this picturesque mountain town, be sure to hit the Breckenridge Brewery Brewpub/Restaurant on Mainstreet, where you can sample the famed Vanilla Porter or reward yourself with an ice cold Farmhouse Ale, and munch on pulled pork sandwiches or the mouthwateringly flavorful Caliente Burger.
Boston folks looking to split from the big city for the weekend might head North, to the pristine Vermont town of Manchester. Nestled at the foot Stratton and Bromley Mountains, this spot has some of the best scenery and activities in the south of the state. If you’re in the mood for a family challenge, maybe hike Mount Equinox (6.8 miles round trip) for exquisite views of the surrounding towns and hills. Also don’t miss Emerald Lake State Park, where the 20-acre lake is sure to please kayakers, swimmers and paddle boarders, and the surrounding 400 acres of trails through thick, lush forest offers mountain biking and hiking galore. If you’re a mountain biker, be sure to stop by Battenkill Bicycles to get the skinny on the best local rides (Humphrey’s Mountain Bike Trail is especially gorgeous and well-loved) or perhaps get in on a group ride.
Whatever you do in Manchester, be sure to circle back downtown for an après-activity bite, beer, wine or cocktail at the classic American bar the Copper Grouse, or at Cilantro for some of Vermont’s best Mexican offerings. For those looking for excellent local beer and a friendly atmosphere without any frills, try the Crooked Ram on Main.
The Copper Grouse – Braised Short Ribs, Gould, Polenta, Pomegranate Demi Glace Crispy Buttered Leeks with a Side of Brussels Sprouts
No matter the in-person environment you and your family are transitioning back into, no matter where you live, you can make adventure and activity an essential part of your (hopefully) post-Covid life. Between finding local pockets of greenery and wild space and discovering new destinations for weekend family trips, all with a focus on fun and outdoor excitement, there are many ways to continue the healthy daily habits we developed during the depth of remote work and quarantines.
