Centre County residents turn to nature to de-stress, disconnect during COVID-19 pandemic

A perfect day for Joe Tuorinsky of State College is spent out on a lake, with a couple of buddies, fishing. The farther away from cellphone service, the better.

“It’s nice not to have any distractions,” Tuorinsky said. “No notifications from my phone, no text messages, no social media, or anything. If my phone comes out of my pocket, it’s to take a picture of a fish.”

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, most Americans have been chained to technology: working from home, attending school online, and celebrating milestones via Zoom or FaceTime. But for many in central Pennsylvania, they’d gladly trade the online world for the great outdoors.

Jordan Root of State College is currently working from home, so he spends a good amount of his day on the computer. However, he uses his free time to turn off technology and enjoy local hiking trails.

“Going out and hiking is my way to disconnect from the world in terms of technology,” Root said. “You can go out and clear your mind and enjoy nature and enjoy the world. A lot of people don’t do that anymore because people are so focused on their phones. It’s a nice way for me to disconnect.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress and uncertainty in many ways. Root says being outdoors and appreciating Mother Nature is a way for him to de-stress and focus on what’s important.

“It’s very relaxing. Going hiking and being in peace and quiet and enjoying the weather and the fresh air, it’s a sense of peace and calm,” Root said.

While all state parks and forests in Pennsylvania are closed until May 8, trails, lakes, roads and parking for outdoor recreation such as hiking are still accessible. Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, biking or running is allowed if social distancing is maintained, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which also recommends people recreate at a park or trail that is within 15 minutes to their home.

Hiking is a very popular activity in central Pennsylvania, with numerous trails at Rothrock and Bald Eagle. With the weather starting to get nice, Becky DePodwin of Boalsburg says she and her husband try to tackle different trails together.

“Going for hikes is my way of taking a mental break,” DePodwin said. “I don’t check notifications, I don’t listen to music or anything, so it’s a great way to step away and change your environment for a half an hour or so.”

DePodwin grew up in Colorado and has always been fascinated by the outdoors. She says one of her favorite parts of living in central Pennsylvania is having trails, lakes and state forests right at her fingertips.

“Coming to PA, I’ve been grateful for the ease at which I can disappear into nature within a five or ten minute drive,” DePodwin said. “We’re really fortunate where we live that it’s easy to get into nature.”

While some locals grew up hiking, fishing and camping, others have taken this unique time as an opportunity to engage more with nature. Carlina DiRusso, a Penn State graduate student, says she’s spent a lot more time outdoors since the COVID-19 lockdown. She even celebrated her April birthday under the stars.

“For my birthday, normally, I would have gone out to dinner, but we went camping instead,” DiRusso said. “It was great. We spend so much time streaming movies and TV, so to go out and celebrate that way ... it feels good.”

DiRusso lives an active lifestyle, but since gyms and fitness centers are closed, she’s used hiking trails to get her exercise instead.

“I usually exercise with technology, playing music mostly,” DiRusso said. “I don’t do that at all when I hike. It’s been great, a lot more meditative. With everything going on, it’s been a stressful situation, so being able to have some silence and connect with nature is really helpful.”

From birthday celebrations, to date nights, to exercise routines, people across the area are coming up with imaginative ways to take advantage of the outdoors. Tuorinsky is even using his wilderness skills to avoid those infamously long lines at the grocery store.

“I have a lot of venison from last season and I’ve been using it a lot to cook,” Tuorinsky said. “I’ve done seared backstrap, I’ve made big pots of venison chili and stuffed pepper soup, so I have good food that lasts me a while.”

This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 6:00 AM.