Last week we brought you an article about mini-adventures. That post covered why we take mini-adventures and believe that you should as well. If you haven’t read that article yet be sure to check that out here. By choosing the right mini-adventures activities you can turn what would normally be a boring few hours into an epic day. Not sure what activity would be best for your next mini adventure activity? Don’t worry we have come up with a few ideas that only take a few hours and can turn what would normally be a few boring hours into an epic mini-adventure.
Fishing/Kayaking
As far as mini adventures go this is probably the one we do the most. Especially in the spring months when the fishing is good and the weather is not too hot. We often choose this because we have so many great locations near us where we can put the kayaks in. I group fishing and kayaking together because it is hard for me to be on the water and not cast a line. For LaBre she is always willing to go because she enjoys just paddling around.
You may be wondering how we are able to do this in a short amount of time, but it is honestly pretty easy. I often will load the kayaks in the truck the day before and just take them to work with me. Then that afternoon we will meet at home and eat a quick dinner. The goal is normally to get out of the house as soon as possible. So we can get in even more time on the water. Most of the lake access areas are within a short drive from the house so that does not cause any issues.
Once we are on the water we just enjoy ourselves for about two hours before heading back in. I have found that this is plenty of time to unwind and hopefully catch a few fish. It may not sound like enough time to enjoy yourself but I can guarantee that it is. We have had countless great trips and have spent a ton more time on the water overall by taking these short trips. Some weeks we have even decided to go out every day, except Wednesdays and Sunday of course.
Exploring a New Local Park
If you are looking for the quickest and easiest way to take a mini-adventure this is it. However, just because it is the easiest method it is not at all boring. We actually discovered how fun this can be when LaBre was doing a step contest with some of her friends. By doing a quick google search for parks near me you can find every option near you. You may be surprised with just how many parks you have in your area, we definitely were.
One park we found was almost in our backyard. We honestly had no idea that it was there. We also did not realize that parks now offer many different activities for the whole family. This park offers soccer golf, disk golf, a large walking path, two fenced-in areas for dogs, and a very nice playground for kids. In case you live in the Knoxville area the name of the park is Plumb Creek Park. You can find more great parks in the Knoxville are here.
Exploring parks in your local area is a great idea for almost anyone. They offer countless activities and are almost always free to use. To find parks in your area just search parks in my area on google and it will show you parks near your current location.
Fun Drive in Your Area
As of late, we have become more and more interested in going on drives in our area. Due to where we live in East Tennessee we have the ability to find great mountain roads. While we really enjoy taking a hike in the mountains, you often spend a lot of time to not see the best view. We have discovered that by going on a drive we can often take in multiple great views in one day.
You do not need to head way into the mountains for a great drive either. Recently we went on a drive through where I grew up. I wanted to show LaBre things that I remember from my youth. I also wanted to see if anything had changed over the last few years. We had a great time and were able to enjoy the few free hours we had together.
Want to take a drive, but do not know where to start? We have a few posts on the subject here.
Explore Your City
This is another super easy option and may honestly be more fun than you would assume. We often head to a few of the downtown areas near us to explore and look for places we have never been. Downtown Clinton is one of our favorites due to the ample amount of neat stores that are all one-offs. We also enjoy exploring Maryville because of all it has to offer and how easy it is to get around.
You can find small downtown areas everywhere and they all offer something great. They often can offer a great excuse for anyone to get out and roam around. My wife is a photographer so exploring a downtown area allows her to get out and take some great pictures. I find that I always find something great to do in a downtown area from just being out and walking around. All the way to look through decades of history at an antique store.
We can not recommend exploring downtown areas enough. We hardly take a trip where we do not explore the small downtown area. You can often find things you never knew existed and potentially find a new favorite place.
Make Your Hobby Into A Mini Adventure
Everything on this list so far is activities that we enjoy that we have turned into mini adventures. You can do the same activities you enjoy doing. For instance, if you are a mountain biker take a ride on a short trail near your home. Or head to a greenway and spend some time just riding your bike. Almost anything you enjoy can be made into a mini adventure you just have plan accordingly. Ultimately you just want to get out and enjoy your self with the time you have.
Thanks For Reading!
We really hope this article has helped you in some way. Do you already take mini adventures? Please let us know what you do in the comments below. If you do not I hope you will take the time you already have available and make it a great adventure. If you are interested in how we take mini adventures to be sure to watch the video of our recent mini adventure on the Cherohala Skyway bellow. Also, do not forget to follow us on social media to keep up with all our adventures. Have a great rest of your day and God Bless!
