Hey Black Knights!! Has corona-virus been getting you down? Have you not been able to do your usual indoor social activities? Do you feel like you are missing something in your life right now? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should get outside! Many people have been taking social interactions to the outdoors because it is much safer than being inside. This has led to many people finding a new activity that they love and is one that really adds to their life. For some people it’s skateboarding, others it’s hiking, or maybe just a nice picnic in a field; the opportunities are endless. 

Getting outdoors can give you the release! Rights now, this is especially needed. Just being in the moment, doing whatever you want to do solely for enjoying yourself, is the epitome of the outdoors. You can make it yours! It can only benefit your life, so what’s stopping you? 

 In Charlottesville, we have a lot of amazing outdoor opportunities. We have places like Sugar Hollow and Ragged Mountain Reservoir, which are great for hikes, as well as places to just hang out, such as the lawn at U.V.A., We are also very fortunate to be in such close proximity to the beautiful Shenandoah National Park, plus we have an amazing skatepark within walking distance of downtown. I myself have been going to the skatepark every day,  fly fishing as much as possible, and hiking and camping whenever I am able to. Enough about me, now let’s get some more examples.

Here are some of our CHS friends describing what they have been doing to get outdoors.

Lara Hendrix (senior): 

Q:Has the coronavirus pushed you to get outside more than you usually would?

Lara: Yes, I’ve taken advantage of places in Charlottesville and surrounding areas. I hiked Humpback a few times, I did Old Rag for the first time, and I went to Sugar Hollow to hike and swim a couple times. I’ve also been camping more over the past few weeks and finding new places to have picnics.

Q:How has it affected you in a positive way?

Lara: I spent 4 months with my sister that I wouldn’t have gotten to. I spent a lot of time cooking, reading, being outside, and just focusing on the positive things in life. I also let go a lot of the stress from school that I would normally have.

Asher Friedman(sophomore at CHS):

Q:Has the coronavirus pushed you to get outside more than you usually would?

A: Yeah

Q: What is the main activity you have been doing outside and where?

A: Skateboarding, either at the skatepark or there are some spots downtown.

Q: How has it affected you in a positive way?

A: I’ve been able to get exercise while hanging out with friends.

Q: Have you made new friends from this activity?

A: Yeah, I made a lot of new friends and we got closer because of it.

Mrs. Horne (english public speaking teacher at CHS)

Q:Has the coronavirus pushed you to get outside more than you usually would?

A: I mean I get outside a lot anyways,always have, but I would say yes, absolutely yes!

Q: What is the main activity you have been doing outside and where?

A: So I’m a swimmer, and my usual routine was to swim before school. At the beginning of the corona times, the pool shut down, and this led me to start walking a lot. This has been awesome! I walk a lot more than I usually did and you will see me all over downtown and Belmont. Also, we have been trying to get out for a hike as much as possible. We try to do one at least once every weekend.  Usually, we wouldn’t stick as much to this, but now during corona times we have been really sticking to it, and it’s great! We now also go Kayaking a lot at Ragged Mountain Reservoir, Beaver Creek reservoir and have made a couple trips to the James. It feels so awesome putting a boat in the water, honestly it feels like you are on vacation, but you’re at home!

Q: Have you made new friends from this activity?

A: I’ve met so many people walking my dog. The sad thing is that I remember the dog’s name more than theirs!

This is one of the beautiful sunsets that we get in Charlottesville.

This is a view from one of the countless amazing hikes in Shenandoah National Park.