Staying Active Outdoors in the Age of Social Distancing 

Across the Blue Ridge and around the world, people came together while apart. We saw outdoor enthusiasts going on teddy bear hunts around their neighborhoods, riding bikes, and running marathons in their backyards. In a time when we were asked to socially distance to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19, we spoke to adventurers across the region about how they adapted to restrictions while creatively getting outside. 

The Wolffs on a family hike. Photo by Molly Wolff Exploring the Neighborhood

With two young children at home, restrictions on gatherings and access to their usual hangout spots meant getting creative for Molly and David Wolff. Social distancing is difficult to explain to a two- and four-year-old. At first, the West Virginia-based Wolffs were still going to trails in their local area. But as trailheads became overcrowded, making it difficult