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There is a lot to celebrate with the ending of 2020 and beginning of 2021, but Covid-19 cases still on the rise around the country, the safest way to celebrate winter holidays and New Year’s Eve is still at home. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring or even with just household members. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate safely. Do a photo backdrop challenge for you and/or your kids with other families. Best photo background wins! Make lists of predictions for 2021; they can be silly or not. At this point nothing is off the table! Play fun games like Musical Chairs, Apples to Apples, Charades and others. Some of these games can easily played with other groups over zoom! Give your holiday a fun theme. Make it an 80s Christmas or Grinch New Year’s Eve (seems very appropriate). Even if your celebrations are smaller this year, fun themes like this will make them memorable and fun. Build fun breaks into your celebrations. Random dance breaks. Everyone has to freeze throughout the day when 1 family member yells freeze. You have to say something your thankful for anytime someone asks you all throughout the day. Make it fun or meaningful!

Chevrolet today announced important safety information regarding the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Visit www.chevy.com/boltevrecall for more information.

While we are usually focused on the big meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, we all know dessert plays just as a big a role. Traditionally, pumpkin pie is one of the big stars…whether anyone eats it or not. Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving (and Christmas) desserts that are NOT pumpkin pie. Our favorite non-pumpkin pie dessert? There’s so many, but the Samoa Cheesecake is definitely a winner. What are some of your non-pumpkin pie dessert favorites?

T he elections of 2020 are heated, contemptuous, and stressful. But among all the robo-texts, angry social media posts, and half-truths, is something to truly celebrate: it is the 100 th anniversary of the 19 th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Only 100 years ago, the women’s suffrage movement was fighting to give women the right to vote in American elections. Only 100 years ago, American women were given the right, as citizens, to have their voices in heard in who and what represented them (although it was not all women right away). Y ou can take a quiz to test your suffrage knowledge, virtually immerse yourself in the centennial celebration, learn about the movement and achievements of women's suffrage, and more at the Centennial Celebration website. So, despite how you feel leading up to the election or after the results have been determined, remember that this year there is something to celebrate no matter what. And, as always, remember to vote before November 3! Find your nearest ballot drop box HERE.

As the end of 2020 approaches (thank goodness), the beginning of flu season begins. With Covid-19 still a serious health issue, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year for several reasons: The flu puts the respiratory system under a lot of stress. Covid-19 very often also affects the respiratory system in serious ways. These two viruses if contracted simultaneously or even one after the other would be very dangerous Every year thousands of people require medical attention or even hospitalization because of the flu. With the current Covid-19 situation, more medical resources are already being used and, as a result, the combination of flu and Covid-19 cases would strain our healthcare system. Now is the time! Flu activity is currently low, so now is the perfect time to get it heading into flu season. There are many free or low-cost places to get a flu vaccine, so don’t let the fear of cost stop you from protecting yourself and your loved ones. Find out more about influenza, the flu vaccine, and flu season during a Covid-19 pandemic.

People have gotten creative all over the country to try to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. From having friends drive by homes on birthdays with signs and well-wishes to Zoom gender reveal parties, we are all doing our best to celebrate safely. With Halloween approaching, many parents are asking themselves and their friends about how to make it work. Kids (and parents) definitely deserve some fun and joy this Halloween, so here are some creative ideas to have some spooky fun safely: Create a treat slide! Instead of trick or treaters walking up to your door, create a fun slide/chute they can put their buckets under and you can slide candy into it from any distance at the top of your driveway. Make Halloween more like Easter. Instead of going out for candy, tell the kids that some goblins came to their house this year and hid candy around the house/yard for them to find. Just like how an Easter Egg hunt is traditionally done Coordinate with neighbors for a reverse trick or treat. Instead of kids walking around door to door, have the adults drive around the neighbor and toss candy to the kids standing in their yards all costumed up! Everyone gets to show off their costumes and candy is distributed from a safe distance. What are you doing this Halloween to make it fun but safe for your community?

Washington is known for its apples and apples are the iconic wholesome, autumn fruit. But this year has been anything but iconic or wholesome, so we love this recipe for Mad Apples. A spooky...and boozy...twist on a favorite fall fruit. Mad Apples (Yields 6) Ingredients: 4 Cups Granulated Sugar, ¾ Cups Water, ¾ Cups Brandy ( Optional), 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup, 6 Granny Smith Apples (Unwaxed), Black or Red Food Coloring Directions: Grease a piece of baking paper and place on a tray/baking sheet. Insert skewers in all the apples and set aside.In a medium pot, combine the sugar, water, liquor, corn syrup and food coloring and stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture feels smooth when you rub it between your fingers. When the sugar has dissolved, turn the heat up and wash the sides of the pot down with a pastry brush dipped into clean water to prevent crystals from forming. Allow the candy mixture to boil until it reaches the hard crack stage 310°F. Carefully dip the apples into the hot candy mixture and place on the baking paper to set and cool for approximately an hour before serving.

Many Americans got behind the wheel to visit national parks and camp for first time; just as the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban arrive The challenges of quarantine and social distancing helped spur a resurgence in the American road trip, a new survey from Chevrolet and The Harris Poll shows. In fact, nearly 80 percent of Americans credited road trips as helping to keep their sanity during the pandemic. In advance of Labor Day – typically one of the nation’s busiest travel weekends – Chevrolet worked with The Harris Poll to survey over 1,000 Americans to discover exactly how they spent their time on the road over the past six months, and the effect it had. With the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban in dealerships now, these results come at a time when drivers indicated they could use the best-in-class cargo volume for anyone – or anything – that comes along for the ride. A majority of Americans said their vehicles became a much-needed escape from home, with many exploring outdoor destinations like beaches and hiking trails. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said they value road trips more than they did before the pandemic, and 80 percent of road trippers said going on a road trip has been “one of their happiest moments” since March. The circumstances throughout 2020 have driven Americans outdoors and to new destinations, many for the first time in their lives. The survey found 89 percent of Americans said their car allowed them to get out of the house safely for a much-needed change of scenery. Among road trippers: Twenty percent visited a national park for the first time More than 1 in 10 Americans went camping for the first time Forty-one percent road tripped to somewhere they’ve never been before The top outdoor road trip activities include beaches (41 percent), hiking (31 percent), fishing (29 percent) and going to national parks (27 percent) In addition to exploring new places, roughly 4 in 10 road trippers say that they now have a greater appreciation for the outdoors (43 percent) and for domestic travel (38 percent). And 56 percent said the vehicle has become “part of the family.” “The open roads are a welcome change, and for decades, many Americans have embraced the outdoors with the Tahoe and Suburban as the ultimate road trip vehicles,” said Bob Krapes, Chevrolet Trucks marketing director. “This desire to pack up family and cargo and get out is part of these iconic SUVs’ DNA. The all-new 2021 Tahoe and Suburban have been completely redesigned to offer more space, comfort and technology to make road trips enjoyable and memorable.” According to the survey, half (53 percent) of Americans said more cargo room would make their road trip experience better, and the new Tahoe and Suburban deliver. Each offers best-in-class cargo volume: up to 122.9 cubic feet for Tahoe and up to 144.7 cubic feet for Suburban. One in 3 of those surveyed said a rear-seat media system would make their road trip experience more enjoyable. Both Tahoe and Suburban offer an available Rear-Seat Media System that includes a pair of 12.6-inch diagonal LCD HD touchscreens for rear passengers capable of displaying content, sharing from one screen to another or “sending” suggested locations to the front-seat passengers. More than half of those surveyed cited safety features’ importance to an enjoyable road trip. The Tahoe and Suburban come standard with robust safety and driver assistance features* including Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Park Assist and Front Pedestrian Braking while offering an available class-leading 15-inch diagonal multi-color Head-Up Display, class-leading up to nine available camera views*, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert* and other innovative technology. As Americans continue to explore new ways to spend time out of the home, the survey conducted by Chevrolet and The Harris Poll showed more road trip plans are still ahead. Of those planning to road trip through the end of the year, 41 percent plan to road trip over Thanksgiving or winter holidays. For recommendations on road trip safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the CDC website. * Read the vehicle owner's manual for important feature limitations and information. SURVEY METHODOLOGY The survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of General Motors/Chevrolet.  The data presented in this document are based on responses received between August 17 – 20, 2020 among 1,000 adults ages 18+.  Additionally, with an oversample of 200 Texas residents and 54 interviews combines for a total of 254 interviews among residents of Texas.

While we don’t like to admit it, fall is right around the corner. Summer 2020 has been…unique…but Fall 2020 will be even more so, thanks to Covid-19 (but not really thanks). What will Fall look like without (for many) regular school, youth sports, and football (college, at least)?! It will certainly smell differently without the scent of pencils in the air and sounds differently without the yells of sports fans at all levels. But, in our effort to be optimistic, there are still some things we can look forward to! Pumpkin Spice season! We suggest skipping the pumpkin spice toilet paper, but Covid-19 can’t take away our PSL! The weather! We all know summer weather in the Pacific Northwest actually extends into (through?) September, which means a little bit more time to do those outdoor activities. Combine that with some sunny but crisp mornings, and we fall in love with fall all over again. Sweaters! Come one, we know you're excited to wear your sweaters again. Fall foods! Bring on the corn on the cob, zucchini, pumpkin, and soups. Pumpkin patch/harvest farms! Fall is a most excellent time to visit local farms and pumpkin patches as many will still have fun, outdoor activities to do. Halloween. It will probably look differently this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t creative to still have fun. Even if it means kids sitting on their front lawns while adults drive around throwing candy at them. What is something about Fall you are looking forward to?

Iconic vehicles and Chevy experts to make appearances daily Chevrolet is reimagining summer car cruising through a week-long virtual festival – Cruisin’ the USA in your Chevrolet – that celebrates more than a century of the brand’s automotive history. Hosted on Chevy’s social media channels from August 10-16, the event is designed to take viewers back in time to experience the brand’s rich heritage of innovation, design and passion. “Classic car events have served as a place for us to honor Chevrolet’s deep automotive history and its influence on our present and future with car enthusiasts from around the world,” said Steve Majoros, vice president of marketing, Chevrolet. “Cruisin’ the USA in your Chevrolet is a way for us to keep that spirit alive.” Each day of the festival will incorporate a different theme and immerse the audience in historic footage, guest appearances, trivia and more. Chevy experts will also provide in-depth looks at some of the brand’s most iconic vehicles housed at the General Motors Heritage Center and even share their own custom Chevy builds. The week will kick off with a journey back to 1911, when Chevy was founded by Louis Chevrolet and Billy Durant. Viewers will have access to rare archival photos and videos from the last 109 years showcasing Chevy’s memorable feats. Highlights of the past and present will include technological evolutions of Chevy’s electric vehicles, as well as its trucks and performance vehicles. Children can also join in on the fun by downloading specially-designed coloring pages, puzzles and activities from the Chevy Design School and exploring cool Chevy themes to outfit their Animal Crossing world. Schedule of Events: August 10: The Origins and Innovations of Chevrolet August 11: Chevy’s Most Iconic Designs August 12: The Proud Truck Tradition August 13: The Peak of Performance August 14: Team Chevy – A Culture of Winning August 15: Chevy’s Heritage – A Fan Celebration August 16: Race Day – Cheering on Team Chevy at NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona and Indy 500 qualifying races. To gear up for the event, fans can download a collectable 18x24-inch high-resolution printable poster featuring a 1967 C10 CST pickup, 1957 Corvette convertible, 2020 Corvette C8.R and 2020 Camaro ZL1. Follow along on Chevy’s social media channels – @Chevrolet on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and @TeamChevy on Race Day – as we celebrate all things past, present and future Chevy. Consumers are also encouraged to share their own fan photos using the hashtag #ChevyLove.

Get inspired to hit the open highway in search of new adventures with our guide to picking your next unforgettable road trip. With summer in full bloom, and after most of us spent the spring being a little bit more cooped up than normal, it’s only natural to be daydreaming about planning the perfect getaway. As longtime New Roads readers will recognize, we’ve got a lot of experience in the road trip game. Travel, sometimes even over short distances, can be inspiring, and we’re constantly brainstorming about where to go next and checking out new websites, guides, and apps to find undiscovered corners and new experiences. Whether you travel near or far, be sure you follow all the applicable laws and guidelines. Get Food Even before “foodies” existed, food and road trips were inextricably linked. From picnic baskets to PB&Js to fast-food French fries, the flavor of travel is a sense memory that we all understand. Increasingly, people are making food an integral part of the journey. Depending where in the country you live, road tripping one town over or across state lines could unlock a new culinary experience—or expand one you’re already familiar with. It’s hard to beat local specialties, which you’ll often find at roadside stands, outdoor markets, or the takeout window of the local diner. Midwesterners don’t have to travel far for a sample tour of specialty sausages, from brats to knackwurst to stadium-style hot dogs. The Louisiana Gulf Coast is easily reachable from many points in the South and is a magnet for seafood and Creole cuisine cravers, best enjoyed on a dockside picnic table with a view of the water. Wherever you’re starting from, get inspired by downloading one of the many apps that are designed to help you eat like a local. TRAVEL TIP Don’t go hungry along the way. When you pack the car before your trip, put bags and suitcases in the cargo area, but keep a smaller bag on hand with snacks, wipes, and anything else you might need during the drive. Plus, make sure each passenger has a water bottle in their nearest cup holder. Get Lost The lure of the great outdoors has always inspired Americans to travel. Our sprawling country is rich with natural beauty, and often the farther afield you are willing to roam, the more you are rewarded with pristine places and incomparable sights. Setting your sights on a remote vacation destination can inspire a million adventure ideas. Gargantuan national parks dot the country: Joshua Tree and Kings Canyon offer accessible wilderness to millions of Californians, Badlands in South Dakota is an utterly unique destination for folks in the middle of the country, and it’s worth traveling from the East Coast to get lost in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Technology can be your friend, again, in search of solitude. Check out your smartphone’s app store for one of the numerous programs aimed at national park information to learn more about when to go, where to stay, and what to bring. TRAVEL TIP Interstate highways are great for covering lots of ground quickly. But make a point to get off the main road and take a slower, more scenic detour from time to time. Because sometimes, the unexpected places you discover along the way are just as memorable as your actual destination. Get Comfortable Not every road trip must entail rock climbing or off-roading, of course. After a hard work week (or during one), searching around for “Destination Chill” is often the right way to go. For true relaxation, many of us need little more than an expanse of beach, an uninterrupted view of some water, and a good book. For perfect weather and unmatched chill, try the less trafficked areas of the Gulf Coast, the breezy reaches of islands reachable by causeways or ferries, or the Lake Michigan coast in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula in the summertime. Or consider a road trip around paradise: a week—or more—on the Big Island of Hawaii can offer a new day trip every day of one’s stay, with relaxing destinations to spare. Meditation-augmenting guides, apps, and even smart eyeglasses are increasingly popular ways to amplify your time away from the grind. Sand in your toes with a side dish of inner peace. TRAVEL TIP Don’t forget about the simple, great road trip games from years past. Friendly competitions of “I Spy” or the license plate game are fun and easy for the whole family. Or, let older kids bring along tablets and connect to your vehicle’s available 4G LTE Wi-Fi ® Hotspot † to play online games or connect on social media. Get Smart Vacations can be a time for the kind of hands-on education that’s hard to come by in school or books. And for parents of school-age kids, there are plenty of places to consider bringing the family to both unwind and learn a little something. All over the country, it’s possible to discover impressive architecture, historical landmarks, and other locations that help bring history to life for kids and adults alike. Whether it’s testaments to the American Revolution in the Northeast, reminders of brave explorers farther west, or something in between, there are plenty of opportunities to get a jump-start on learning about the nation’s heritage without stepping foot in a museum. It’s great to have a loose idea of where you’re headed, of course. Travel guides, both printed and online, can give you a great starting point to scope out educational destinations in various regions. The National Park Service website offers various guides for history buffs of all kinds and up-to-date information on closings and restrictions. There you’ll find your future game plan for everything from walking tours of famous battlefield locations to hikes through iconic parks, and so much more. TRAVEL TIP Make the journey just as informative as the destination by choosing the spoken word over music. Whether it’s educational or historical podcasts, or the audiobook version of a classic novel, there’s a wealth of options out there to keep passengers engaged—and informed—during the drive.

With many activities closed or limited, it seems more people are take advantage of Western Washington's excellent hiking trails. Because of increased popularity (and time), social distancing even on hikes can be difficult (especially at crowded trail heads), so here are some lesser known hikes that you may want to check out to avoid the hiking crowds. Heather Park Trail in the Olympic National Forest. If you have a hankering to go to the Olympics, you'll probably find the popular Hurricane Ridge pretty crowded. Take a quick detour to Heather Park Trail. It also offers incredible views, but of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles, and smaller peaks! Rampart Ridge Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park. While this park may be very popular, give this lesser known trail a try to avoid some of the crowds. Be sure to check the website for possible changes in restrooms, access, etc. Lake Elizabeth Trail, Bandera Mountain Summit, Royal Basin Trail, and more! This list on the Only In Your State website has a great list of trails we had never heard of that should be much lighter in the crowd department.