Get out and play on New Year’s Day at one of these healthy and fun planned activities that will get you off the couch and start your year off with good health.    New traditions and new resolutions are waiting:

Bike: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is hosting their annual Mail Run mountain bike ride.  “Neither snow nor rain nor heart nor gloom of night” stops the start of this event.  Bikers will meet at 10 am at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center.  Riders can choose between 8 and 35 mile lengths.  Big South Fork trail system is an IMBA Epic Ride destination

Hike: The TN State Park systems offer First Day hikes at eight of the state parks in the 9 Lakes of East TN.  Debuting this year is an organized hike on the Cumberland Trail.  Hikers will meet in Caryville for this rigorous walk along the developing foot trail system.  Registration is required.   Or, choose to hike with one of the many local hiking clubs.  The Norris Hiking Group annually gathers to walk in the Norris Watershed and has planned an easy 5.5 mile walk.

Plunge:  Take a dip at the 2^nd Annual East TN Polar Plunge.  The event will be held at Tellico Lake in Vonore.  Dress up or dress down.  Each year a costume parade of participants will make their way to the water.   The best costumes are awarded as King and Queen.