Outside Resolutions 2016 Checklist
This is the day you change your life.
We make this pledge with every passing year. We make resolutions. We break them. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the goals were too big, or not fun enough?
Here’s a solution to your resolution problem: Get outside. Here are 12 Roanoke Region activities – one a month for the whole year – to help you get out the door and enjoy your own backyard. Most of the activities are free, don’t take a lot of training and will help you create a better, happier, healthier 2016 without the gym. (But you can still go there, too.)
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE CHECKLIST.
January: Go Ice Skating
Ice skating got a facelift in Roanoke this season with two venues to lace up your skates. Through mid-February, you can skate outside at Elmwood Park (the rink is open every day). Even if you have never skated, there’s something just a bit magical about gliding along the ice.
Make a whole day of the adventure and take a walk through one of the museums downtown (pinball, anyone?) and finish with dinner (or a craft beer) that you have never tried before. Start the year with a day unlike any you’ve ever had in Roanoke and you’ll have that taste of adventure to whet your appetite for the rest of the year.
February: Take a Staycation to a State Park
Spend a weekend exploring your own backyard. Book an overnight stay in the Civilian Conservation Corps cabins at Douthat State Park or one of a couple nearby campgrounds. You’ll have the entire park to yourself. Be sure to hike Tuscarora Trail.
March: Bring Home the Triple Crown
Did you know the region is home to a hiking Triple Crown? All you have to do is hike three sections along the Appalachian Trail: McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth and Tinker Cliffs. There isn’t a medal, but you’ll be able to boast to all your friends that you have done it (and have a few awesome selfies to share).
- McAfee Knob: It’s the most photographed point along the Appalachian Trail for a reason. The 270-degree view from the knob are absolutely too incredible to describe. (This is one reason why the location was featured so prominently in the recent movie “A Walk in the Woods.”) The hike is just under 8 miles round trip; pack a lunch, plenty of water and spend some time enjoying the A.T.
- Dragon’s Tooth: This hike is named for the cool rock formations along the hiking path. The 4.5 mile round trip can be a little rugged at points, but includes great views of the entire valley and nearby mountains from the summit.
- Tinker Cliffs: The views from the top and this trail’s claim to fame, but there are also cool rock formations, forests and creeks along the path. There are some steep areas to hike and the hike is about 6.5 miles out and back.
April: Participate in a Race
If you are intimidated by the Blue Ridge Marathon – it is America’s Toughest Road Marathon after all – there are plenty of other ways to get involved on race weekend. First, there are half marathon and 10K options for the April 16 race in Downtown Roanoke, up to the Mill Mountain Star and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
And then there’s everything else. If you don’t want to run, race organizers can always use the help of volunteers to help things go off smoothly. “Unofficial” volunteers line the course and cheer on runners (out of town racers say this is one of the best part of the event). It all finishes with a free festival at the finish line with plenty of live music and food.
Make a date for Down by Downtown as well. The music festival will bring tons of live acts to Roanoke on race weekend, and you are invited to each and every one.
May: Get Out on Two (or Three) Wheels 
Ride or rent a bike and hit the greenway. (Or be really adventurous and go all the way up to the Mill Mountain Star.)
Before you skip to the next item on the list because you are a regular on the greenway or aren’t sure about your ability to balance a bike, consider this: UnderDog Bikes, located right on the greenway, rents big wheels for adults. How’s that for something new and fun?
June: Hook a Big One
June is National Fishing Month so why not cast a line in Philpott Reservoir, a true hidden gem. Miles of undeveloped shoreline with small coves provide great hiding spots for fish. And if you’re up for an adventure you should camp overnight on Deer Island, which is only accessible by boat.
July: Go for a Paddle
Enjoy the warm air (even if it is hard to imagine right now) on the water with a paddling trip along the Upper James River Water Trail. The popular spot is perfect for beginners (you can hire a guide for a tour) and experienced paddlers alike with some flat water and a few rapids.
The river is easily accessible at many points and the winding river views are breathtaking. Getting on the water will give you a whole new perspective on the region. (Make sure to bring your camera.)
August: Join a Class, Group or Club
There’s no better time to find an activity that you love. Join a class, group or club that suits your interests or will help you be a part of something you’ve been wanting to try all year. (You’ll be surprised how many like-minded people are out there.)
September: Experience Cyclocross
Get an introduction to cyclocross with SeptemberCross. The sport is a mix between road racing and mountain biking where racers ride on a variety of surfaces and through obstacles, often hopping off and on the bike. There’s plenty of time to start practicing for the September event at Fallon Park’s Cyclocross Course. (And if you aren’t ready to ride, just watching a race is a thrill!)
October: Get to GO Fest
Make plans to attend GO Fest now. And stay the night. With free on-site camping, it’s a good test drive to see how well you handle “roughing it.”
The free outdoor festival is Oct. 14-16 and is simply an outdoor lovers dream. Last year more than 25,000 people came out to demo gear, participate in races and see shows, listen to good music, sample local craft brews and eats, and just have a good time celebrating the outdoors.
November: Give Thanks, Give Back
Clean a river. Hand out water at a race. Volunteer.
We have a lot of great outdoor amenities, but they always need our help to stay in the best and most usable condition. So take a morning and give back.
December: Hike to a Waterfall
You might not think December is the best time for a hike, but you’d be wrong. The winter months are a great time to get a new perspective on some of your favorite hiking spots, including waterfall hikes. (If you get lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a frozen fall.) Most of these hikes are on the shorter side, so bundle up and hit the trail.
Here are two to try:
- Crabtree Falls: It’s just 1 mile from the parking lot to the tallest waterfall East of the Mississippi River.
- Stiles Falls: The 60-foot waterfall is located on Camp Alta Mons property and includes an easy 3-mile hike.
Now that you’ve got a list of resolutions, check them off each month.
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