Here I will list a few things that are possible, hoping you can find one or two suitable for you. Operational F2 is out, but certainly other modes are available, which some of us overlooked in the past. Depending on geographical and seasonal parameters, TEP, auroral and scatter modes can be utilised and experimented with. The and auroral modes are a privilege to only some of us lucky to live in suitable areas, but forward and back-scatter as well as MS can bring fruitful and interesting results and many hours of pleasant operating. Es is certainly the best and most popular mode in its season and is a unique opportunity to work many stations within range.
Contests are a different story.
Technical Being a radio amateur for 25 years, and a communications engineer for almost 20 years, I have learned to respect Murphy's law. Now is the time that equipment can be taken to the bench for replacing those diodes at the front end that cause crossing, adjust or replace the aging crystal, restore sensitivity, improve switching, increase output or integrate that filter that has been hanging outside the box for many years. If all these tasks are to be completed with patience and plenty of time, before one is worried about missing the next days openings, they should be done now. Now is also the best time to service or rearrange aerial systems. Rotators do need periodic service that usually takes aerials off the tower for a couple of days.