Summer is an amazing time of year for people in South Dakota. With the days getting hotter, it signals in the events South Dakota has to offer. Whether it’s Czech Days, Tea Pot Days, River Boat Days, Sioux Empire Fair, Springfield Fireworks, Turner County Fair, State Fair, Pioneer Days, or even the Granddaddy of them all. The Sturgis Bike Rally. There is no shortage of excitement and adventure to be had in the summer. But what if you took all of that away for a summer? Would South Dakota be just as exciting without them all? Would you still be able to fill up your summer with fun and memorable things to do?
These are questions being asked right now. What do you do when all of the things that easily filled up our summer disappeared. For the record, not all of these events have been canceled. And I may try to do a report on which ones are still going on as planned. But what I want to know is “What if”? What things could you still do?
Fishing
I’ll start with an easy one. Fishing is something you can do no matter where you are in the state. A few poles, a license, and head to the water. Some of my fondest memories growing up were from taking trips to the lake or river. Invite down friends and family. Make sure you have some snacks. And you may end up with a small party. And at the same time you can still be socially distancing and enjoying the great outdoors. For the truly adventurous you can also do overnight fishing trips. This brings me to the next on the list.
Camping
Most all of the parks are opened in the state. A tent can be a nice cheap investment. Throw in some food and snacks. Some things for starting a fire. For those already with the luxury of a camper, I’m preaching to the choir on this one.
These overnight trips can be some incredible fun. Hanging out with friends and family can make the adventure even better. Add in some stories, the night sky, and a bit of peace and quiet. And it could be just what the doctor ordered.
For the truly adventurous you can do an overnight fishing trip very similarly. Big fish prowl in the night closer to shore. Making your chance for a monster go up. It can be a ton of fun and even a bit spooky. Since your pulling them up from seemingly no where. Make sure you pick up some bells to put on your rods. That way you can hear them go off as you nap or just take in the outdoors. This can be a great place for a tent or even just a sleeping bag.
Swimming
Some local pools are opened or are going to be. While some are going to be closed. But you are still not without options. Especially along the Missouri river. There are beaches all along the river to be had and enjoy a dip in the water. A quick search on the South Dakota Game Fish And Parks website will give you some great beaches to check out. This will also let you know if you need a park sticker to enter these places or if you can visit them for free. And what a great way to beat the heat.
Hiking/Biking
There are a ton of trails in South Dakota to explore. Whether you’re in the Black Hills and Badlands area. Or local parks. Almost every area has them. Just make sure the trails you’re looking at allow bikes since not all do. The Game Fish And Parks Website can also give you new ideas or point you to some great places as well.
River Run
This is where you pick a spot on a river. Put in a canoe or kayak. And make a trip of paddling down the river for the day. This can be an adventure and may not be one for the faint of heart. Since it will take some endurance. To make it easy, have a friend or relative pick you up at a certain area. Or drop off a vehicle of someone in your party. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. And it should go without saying to bring a simple first aid kit with bug spray and sunscreen. Make sure you allow time to stop for breaks. A little planning goes a long way to making sure you enjoy the adventure.
Road Cruise
For those that have been on a poker run, this may be a bit similar. Pick a destination. The stopping point doesn’t really matter. Now, pick an area to travel. Such as along a river, down a specific highway or a hilly section to follow. Now, on a map, pick stopping points along the way. These can be anything. From overlook points to take a picture at, restaurants that have great burgers, or even memorials or parks to stop at. Just make sure to predetermine these areas and have fun with them. Take pictures all along the way. You can also do this with a motorcycle or a bike. Or even mapping out the same way in town and walking. It’s only limited by your imagination.
Geocaching
What’s described as a modern day treasure hunt, this can be a bit like the cruise. In this case though, you are looking for hidden items scattered all over the state. If your interested in this the Game Fish And Parks are once again a great way to get started in this.
Disc Golf
This is one that seems to be popping up more and more in city parks and places all over. Buy yourself a Frisbee. This can be a bit challenging from the start. Since there can be a bunch of different options. Here is a video to check out to help you pick out the right one for you. Next, find yourself a course. As I said there are tons of options on places to find them. Then have fun challenging your friends and family. There are also a ton of tips, and techniques to pick up with this sport. So the sky can be the limit. Pun intended.
The big thing with any of the above mentioned things is to have fun. Make it an adventure. And make it memorable. We sometimes have a tendency to make things more complicated then they need to be. When a lot of times it’s the simple things that stick out the most in our minds. All of the things I mention above are things that can be done with minimal cost. But could be in your mind as a lifetime of adventure. When we look back at 2020 things are probably not going to be good. So maybe now is the time to change that. Maybe that moment fishing with the kids will last a lifetime. Maybe that road trip with your friends is something you never forget. Or just maybe, the summer of 2020 sticks out as one of the best ever.
Until next time.