There’s a big, beautiful world out there just waiting to be explored. Take time to revel in the pure joy of spring by trying a few of our favorite outdoor adventures.
Backyard Bliss
Pack a picnic lunch, and spend the day relaxing under a canopy of trees in your own backyard. Spread a quilt on the lawn, channel your inner Jane Austen, and nibble on fruit and cheese while daydreaming of Mr. Darcy.
Fine Lines
Fluff up your picnic provisions with fresh-picked flowers and a few comfy pillows, and add a lightweight throw in case the breeze turns chilly. A woven basket becomes a handy tote to corral your essentials, along with favorite books of poetry to read beneath the boughs.
Swing of Things
Let the housework wait. The splendid spring weather is calling your name, and it’s only polite to answer. Head out to the backyard where a pillow-plumped hammock awaits, and get lost in the pages of the latest Karen White novel.
Spinning Wheels
Remember when a pretty pink Schwinn offered all the freedom your 10-year-old self could imagine? Return to those happy days by buying a classic bike and taking a few spins around the neighborhood. Not only do you get in some great exercise, but the wind blowing through your hair is bound to recapture those carefree times when you planned your day around the popsicle man’s arrival.
See the Sights
In springtime, the whole world is in bloom, and nowhere is that more evident than in our nation’s capital at cherry-blossom time. If you can’t make it to Washington, play tourist in your own hometown with a visit to the local botanical garden or a state park.
Picture This
Instant photos are a wonderful thing, but capturing the view with a canvas and brush is much more relaxing. Try your hand at plein air painting by setting up an easel and supply table—Southern Lady–style, of course—in a nearby field or even in your own backyard.
Sittin’ Pretty
While away the afternoon from your front-porch perch. Though solo rocking has its merits, a second chair invites a passing neighbor or your favorite 4-year-old to join the party. A bowl of peas to shell is optional but offers the irresistible combination of productivity and pure pleasure.
Tea Time
Invite a friend over to enjoy a peaceful morning on the porch with a view overlooking the garden. Conversation will flow as freely as the tea when you bring out your prettiest china and keep the pound cake coming.