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Staycation’s All I’ve Ever Wanted
Ed Shurna shares an important, and often overlooked, form of vacation.
It’s currently summer here in the beautiful land of the free and home of the brave and often times that means planning a vacation. Working for a non-profit, student travel company one would think that we all travel to exotic locations during anytime off from work. While this is often the case sometimes it’s just not feasible. So, this year rather than gassing up the mini van for another cross-country ride from hell, forking over hundreds or thousands of dollars on airline tickets and hotels, or visiting the uncle you feel guilty about not seeing for five years I recommend a STAYCATION!! 
This new fad is rapidly gripping the nation and all joking aside is a great and economical way to enjoy all your city or town has to offer while not worrying about many of the pitfalls associated with a standard destination vacation. For those of you that live under a rock, STAYCATION as defined by the Dictionary of Me is: choosing to remain in your home community (STAY) during your time off from work (VACATION) rather than venturing to another city or country. It’s really that simple!
My town is boring, there’s nothing to do! Well, unless you live in Iowa (or Kansas) this probably isn’t true. If it is, then a day trip to a nearby National Park or Nature Preserve could be in order. Day trips count as part of the STAYCATION.
When is the last time you visited a local park or museum? Have you been to the Cinemaplex lately? Now that you don’t have to work you can pay for one movie, but stay for three (GEx does NOT condone this behavior, but these places are huge so how will they know?) How about that new restaurant you’ve wanted to try or the old favorite you haven’t been to for awhile?
Spend the day at the pool with your kids or at the bar by yourself. Read a few books on your porch or make some new playlists for your ipod. Go to the library. Start learning a new language. Volunteer at the foodbank. Go bird or people watching. Gaze at the night sky. Break the record for consecutive hours spent in a hammock (currently 36, set by yours truly…this is unofficial) Or just spend as much time as possible in front of the TV (I also hold this record and please realize that you will not be able to break it unless you have at least 30 consecutive days off).
As you can see the possibilities are limitless. There is only one caveat to the STAYCATION and that is DON’T WORK! This includes house and yard duties in addition to your desire to check email. So this year you should stay home and rest assured that the long lost relative guilting you into visiting will still be there next summer….hopefully.
