After rainy and stormy weather across the state from Tropical Storm Andrea, Saturday promises to be a lovely day to get outside and enjoy Georgia State Parks. The timing couldn’t be better since the State Parks have created a seriously fun event that covers the entire state. Saturday, June 8 is National Get Outdoors Day. We’re also in the midst of Get Outdoors Georgia Month, in which Georgia State Parks is encouraging us all to “get out, get dirty, and get fit.”

This campaign involves a state-wide competition with layers of entries. The Great Gopher Chase is occurring at more than 25 parks around the state (check out the list of sites online). Here’s how to play:
Get outdoors at one of the locations on the Gopher’s travel guide
Find the Gopher at the park or historic site
Take a picture with the Gopher and email* it to Nicole.Barber@gadnr.org

When you email your photos with the gopher, you also get to include a name for the gopher. That’s right, this guy/ gal doesn’t have a name yet! If you send pictures from at least two different parks, you’ll be entered into the Great Gopher Chase Picture of the Week contest. Those winning photos will be posted on Facebook weekly. There are more ways to enter that include winning $50-$100 gift cards to Bass Pro Shop.

The competition lasts all month long, so there’s plenty of time to play. You can see a list of ways to enter the Great Gopher Chase online. Winners will be notified via email and the Gopher’s name will be announced on Facebook.

Tell us where you’re going to look for the gopher for the Great Gopher Chase!

Don't forget it's also still National Fishing and Boating Week, which means there's free fishing on public waterways (including saltwater) around the state and a lot of fishing rodeos at several parks today and tomorrow.