This is not your typical tourism blog post. Regardless of how strongly we wish that you could Visit Brownwood and experience everything that our wonderful community has to offer, coronavirus has halted everyday life, business operations and tourism all over the world.
With good reason; this virus knows no borders. It’s a trying time. But, we are exceptionally proud of our people on the front lines. Everyone from the fire and police departments, the incredible health department and healthcare workers, and the City team are proactively working to keep our residents as safe as possible during this global outbreak. We are fighting Covid-19 head-on and our goal is to keep you as healthy, and sane, as possible.
Since social distancing is crucial to flatten the curve (i.e. listen to our mayor discuss our shelter-in-place guidelines here), we are all finding ourselves a little stir crazy. What does that mean for residents or people passing through en route to help relatives? It means that we need you to stay inside your homes, limit interaction and decrease the transmission and spread.
We know that sounds boring. We are together in this and we feel a little stir crazy too. But we are keeping the community’s safety in mind and we know it is not all mind-numbing boredom! Here are a few ideas for safe fun that we hope will brighten your spirits for a few hours!
Staying Safe and Sane During Social Distancing in Brownwood
Date night – Home Edition
While carving out date night might seem unnecessary given that you are now with your significant other 24/7, it is hugely important in maintaining a healthy relationship (as is allowing “me” time). With plenty of ways to keep the romance alive at home, you don’t have to sacrifice date night during social distancing. With so many musicians taking to live streaming, now is the perfect time to grab some wonderful takeout and have dinner and show. Start with a flower bouquet from a local florist. Then pick up Mary Stanley’s famous scratch pasta from the Turtle Enoteca. Pair that with a bottle of red from the Spirit of Texas. Head home and spread a blanket out under the stars (or anywhere). Reconnect over a lovely meal together then cozy up with candles and a movie or show! If you are a morning person, stock up on tasty breakfast pastries from Common Grounds or Tr3s Leches and take an hour for breakfast in bed! Or make fancy cocktails for a virtual tour of a museum or world wonder. Here are some other date night-in ideas!
Take a walk
We need to [safely] maintain our emotional and physical health in the process of social distancing. This balance can be tricky but not impossible. We are lucky to have lovely walking trails all over the Brownwood area. Get out for a long walk and soak up some vitamin D on the Camp Bowie Walking Trail or the Riverside Park Nature Trail. Take care to maintain a six-foot distance between yourself and fellow walkers and keep in mind that all city park restrooms are currently closed. Also, don’t touch water fountains, seating and other common-use equipment.
Go Fish
We are fortunate to have beautiful Lake Brownwood just a short drive away. The days are warming up and the gentle shores are the perfect outdoor escape from the house. Bring your kayak, boat or fishing gear and enjoy a few hours in the great outdoors. Remember to exercise proper social distancing while swimming or walking around the lake. Additionally, if you are taking your boat out, limit the occupants to family and/or friends that are currently in residence with you. Hungry when you leave? Stop by the Hideout for a takeaway feast!
Happy Hour for your health
Are you missing your gal-pals and Wine Wednesday? Move the party online! Pick up your favorite bottle from Spirit of Texas, a curbside four-pack from Pioneer Tap House, a growler from Teddy’s Brewhaus, or dive into The Turtle’s exceptional wine list, and toast to each other and our collective health virtually via Facetime, Google Hangouts or Zoom. Not a big drinker? No problem – make it tea time and meet with your bible study or book club with the same tools!
Game on
Grab barbecue from Underwood’s and organize a proper game night via Google hangouts. Try dominos, Quiplash, and board games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, Scrabble and more on Pogo. You don’t even have to miss poker night! Play some Texas Hold”em with your buddies via PokerStars. Y’all play fair out there and game on!
Birthday par-tay
A lot of us are missing out on birthday celebrations this year. But there are some creative ways to celebrate a friend’s birthday. One of the coolest that we’ve seen is an organized birthday parade! Here’s what to do.
- Coordinate with the friend group.
- Order a cake or cookies from a local bakery (or bake one to drop off on the front porch!)
- Make birthday signs and decorate your cars.
- Slowly caravan in your respective cars past the birthday boy/girl’s house.
- Honk horns, play music, scream and yell and – of course – sing happy birthday at the top of your lungs!
- Bask in the glory of being the best friend anyone could have =)
Home Improvement
Wilson had the right idea behind that fence…and now is a great time to channel your inner Tim Taylor! Watson Ace Hardware is offering curbside pickup and delivery and, now, with a bit of extra time you can finally tackle all those house projects that never got priority before.
Campout
Escape the confines of inside and build a fort or a campsite in your backyard! Set up a fire pit and make s’mores and tell ghost stories as you lounge outside in the fresh open air! You can also head over to the Lake Brownwood State Park and camp for a couple of nights. Just be sure to bring sanitizers, wash your hands frequently and maintain at least six feet of distance between campsites and on trails.
