Labor Day is great in that it is a holiday that practically no one celebrates, everyone gets off from work and it comes during sunny weather. It leaves no commitments except extra time to spend relaxing with friends and relatives.

On the other hand, though, it leaves people without much to do. Here are five ideas:

• Go watch the Shortstop. Whether you play golf or not, this is an Albert Lea tradition worth participating in. On Sunday or Monday, go to Green Lea, rent a golf cart, buy a snack and a beverage, then drive around watching the best local players duke it out on the links. The action starts early, about 7:30 a.m. or so, and goes all day. That means you can go whenever you want, rather than trying to watch everything. More people spectate as the tournament nears its end Monday afternoon.

• Go for a hike at Myre-Big Island State Park. This is the perfect weather for being at the park. There is no mud. The bugs aren’t bugging people (well, not much). The grass is tall, and nature abounds. Explore this part of the Albert Lea you might not have seen before. Besides, the Vitality Center and just about every doctor in the world says walking is good for you. Hiking is even better. If you want a challenge, go find the Esker Trail.

• Go for a bike ride. Why not hit the five-mile route around Fountain Lake? It’s fun to see what people are doing. Five miles on a bike is easy. Or try riding the Blazing Star Trail from Albert Lea to the state park. That’s just seven miles, for a total of 14. That’s easy, too. You can do it. Make sure you oil your chain and inflate your tires to proper levels before you ride. The miles go by easier if you do.

• Go out to eat at a new restaurant. Often people think they have been to all the restaurants in and around Albert Lea. But if you look them up, there are more than you think, especially when adding in the ones in the small towns within driving distance. We bet that most people haven’t been to all of them. Make a fresh choice and take the family there.

• Go with a son, daughter, grandchild, niece or nephew to a park. In fact, try finding a park or school playground the child or children haven’t been to before. They will love it because they get to explore something new and different.