We are now at the halfway point of our Summer Staycation and having a great time. Staycation is a term I only recently heard, but it sums up our vacation plans to a tee. We are staying at home here in Seattle and being tourists in our own city! We first instituted this idea a few years ago, before Lukas arrived, and had such a great time that we have continued the practice every year since. We thought "Why are we traveling away from home during August when it is the most beautiful time of year right here". Summers here in Seattle and the Northwest are just about perfect, with the warm temperate climate, the beautiful local scenery, abundant water, and vibrant urban environment with plenty of fun things to do.
With Lukas just passing the 13 month old mark, we haven't ventured too far from home yet, but have tried to focus on activities that he would find new and interesting close to home. We took him on a trip to Snolqualmie Falls (a large waterfall just a short drive outside the city limits), have visited local parks with friends to try out the wading pools, taken bicycle trips to other scenic parks, and have plans for some local hands-on children's museums in the next couple of days. All the while we have taken every opportunity to be outside and enjoy the warm weather and cool breezes off the water. There is an abundance of vacation worthy destinations right here, just waiting to be discovered.
Given the current tough economic times it's a great idea, wherever you happen to live, to discover those local attractions which people travel to your area to visit. In our case, we can stay at home in a hip and eclectic neighborhood, sleep in our own beds, and wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy the day. Best of all, the price is right. We will save the out of town trips for a time when it is grey and gloomy here (In case you haven't heard, it rains a bit in Seatte during the Winter months) and we need to get away to re-establish a bit of sanity.
How about you? Are you traveling this Summer, or having your own Staycation?
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14 comments:
Being in Vegas we have plenty of staycation opportunities, but unfortunately not for the little one. So far this summer we've been to Montreal and Southern California. With the wife now six months pregnant, no other trips are planned. We'll have to find other local family-friendly things to do. It's tough when it's 110F though.
Mmm, sounds like a divine spot.
We have one more month of winter here (which means, rain, rain, rain and more rain) then it's all yours, haha.
With the little one, our summer trips have been extended family centered. In fact we are now on Mini-Kamp Tour 2008 with stops in NC.
With all the tourists in DC, it is good to get out.
I'd love a staycation. Unfortunately, we live in a town that makes Mayberry look like a Metropolis.
Only a 1 year old could get away with those shorts.
We are staying home this summer, but heading about three hours away this fall to hide in a cabin on the water away from the world.
We're more on "vacation day rationing" here with a scheduled C-section looming and me with a job with limited vacation time. So yeah, sure, we're taking a "staycation"... as long as it means I can still go to the office five days a week.
@VegasDad - Ouch, 110F? That sounds insane. Sounds like you are done with vacations for a while. Hopefully you can find some airconditioned free indoor activities close by for the remainder of the Summer.
@tw - Ahh, that's right. Southern Hemishphere. At least you still have Summer to look forward to rather than Fall and Winter. That rain will be headed our way soon enough!
@DC - Yeah, I would get out of Dodge too if there were that many tourists visiting. Speaking of, we passed through Pike Place Market after visiting a kids museum today, and the tourist in town were just a bit much to take.
@Ed - I grew up in just such a place, so I hear ya. That kind of serenity is very appealing though after spending so much time in the city.
@MTAE - Those are cool shorts man, but you are right I couldn't carry them. The cabin sounds ideal. You should rent The Great Outdoors and watch as a family before leaving.
@Sci-Fi - Sounds like the Stayatworkation plan. I hope you can eek out some relaxing time on the weekends before the C-section. Don't go visiting your mom, just stay at home and relax...
We took a trip to the midwest (Indiana & Chicago) to get out of the Florida heat. While the weather was pleasant, the 5:30 AM sunrises were completely unnecessary.
I wish my in-laws had taken a staycation... M-I-L has been here for two weeks already... F-I-L & S-I-L will be here for a week... sigh... my summer comes to an end, and I am surrounded by insanity- just in time to go back to work. SIGH.
You know, it's a great idea.
So often we miss what our own town, or country has to offer, I fully plan to take a real holiday in Ireland sometime to see all the stuff I've been missing.
What a sweet child. And yes, staycations can be wonderful. For one's spirit as much as for one's purse. Enjoy - Nards
Oh, and I see that you love the Go-Go's too. I was just about to use this song in one of my posts! You beat me to it. Ha! Ha! -Nard
@Jasper - Thanks for stopping by! For your sanity, I hope IL's have to leave early for some innocuous reason. 5:30 sunrises are a part of life up north this time of year.
@Xbox - Ireland sound very intersting to me. I would love to visit someday, just not in August and when the Euro isn't so high against the $.
@Nardisms - Thanks. I wasn't sure if that was the Go-Go's or Bananarama and was too lazy to google it. Reminds me of my youth though.
You mean Autumn and Winter, haha. Fall is a more accurate description though. :)
It sounds pretty nice there. I'd like to visit...but that wouldn't be a staycation would it?
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