I have a number of ongoing questions I like to pepper my husband with. “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?” “Should I cut my hair?” “What’s for dinner?” (lucky, lucky me has an incredible cook of a husband). And, most relevant to today’s small measure, “Where would you most like to travel?” I’m continually planning trips, respites, rendezvous, and getaways. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember, always managing to make it through each day because of some excursion, jaunt, journey, escapade, outing, or field trip I’ve got in mind, just over the horizon. [image sourcing, clockwise from top left: the sharp single, fairy cakes, clever games, trip advisor, appliancist,country living, about.com]
Couple an expedited writing schedule to bring four books to market in 1 1/2 years with a global recession and my dreams of far-away adventures have moved decidedly closer to home. Enter the “staycation.” Defined by Wikipedia as a “neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions,” the staycation is here to stay. Literally. The word was added to the 2009 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, lest you think the concept is only a passing whim.
A growing number of cash-conscientious (or devoid) folks still desiring a bit of hard-earned R&R are trading in extensive travel plans for staycations. Why spend loads of money (and burn through non-renewable fossil fuels) trekking off to far-flung destinations requiring lodging, transportation, and eats (not to mention the cost of boarding your animals or paying a house-sitter during your absence) when you can stay put and enjoy the offerings of your nearby stomping grounds? An old friend of mine and I used to take what we called “mini adventures,” setting off for area towns, villages, and attractions often forgot about in the hustle and bustle of daily life. More recent personal staycation activities have included, in no particular order: Visiting a local apple orchard , going on an impromptu hike and picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway , enjoying a canning party/brunch with girlfriends, hosting an “India Supper Club” potluck chez moi, taking a hiking/shopping/gelato-eating/beer-with-a-friend day trip to Black Mountain , checking out the gardens and grounds at the Biltmore Estate , and breaking in my birthday fondue pot with friends.
CLICK HERE for more great stay-cation ideas from Ashley after the jump!
The fount from which staycation ideas spring is one which will never run dry. Where there’s a will to relax and rejuvenate, there’s a perfectly suited staycation option. Paige Anderson Appel offered up five fantastic staycation-suited party ideas as a design*sponge guest blogger back in August (the “Exquisite Corpse” shindig is a personal favorite). Apartment Therapy has a helpful post on things often done on vacation that could be done at home during a staycation, such as refraining from housework (a personal challenge for this neat nick), visiting somewhere (locally) new (that antique store you drive by daily, eyeing curiously? go there!), and reading a book or magazine (whether Chomsky or Crichton, now’s the time to read it).
In his book
1) A staycation must be treated as a real vacation.
2) Plan ahead.
3) Choose a start and end date.
4) Create mental distance (no/low e-mail, cell phone use, texting).
5) Treat yourself.
6) Remember it (via photos, videos, etc.)
7) Maximize your hometown.
8) Stay positive.
Several of my friends are perennial globe-trotters. From Munich to Bulgaria, from Barcelona to Auckland, they’re always on the go. Perhaps one day, such travel opportunities will be mine. In the meantime, I travel vicariously through their photo montages while savoring the continual pleasure and inspiration found right outside my front door.
What staycation adventures have you engaged in lately? Plans for any upcoming, seasonally-themed staycation adventures?
