What? No vacation?
Ahhh, summertime, fun time. It brings on the urge to go on a memorable vacation, whether just you and the honey, the whole family, or a solo trip. It’s the best time to go too, considering the weather is warm enough to travel. But after planning all winter and getting excited about those plans, only to find out you can’t go due to scheduling or no money to go, yeah that SUCKS!
Well, distress no more as there IS a way to accomplish a FUN vacation still! Now before you say that’s not possible, stick with me for the ride. Note: I did not say you can accomplish the SAME vacation you dreamed about or planned, however I did say that you could still do “A” vacation. You might even be able to incorporate some of the things from your planned vacation, although more similar than exact. Are you ready to know? Good, let’s get cracking!
Step 1- List all of the tourist places within your city and/or county where you live. These are places like a rock climbing wall, Olympic sized pool, caves, river edge or lake activities, river boat dining, museums, aquariums, zoo, ball games, arcades or amusement parks, historic places(Abe Lincoln anyone?), all cafes-diners-restaurants, fairs and festivals during the time you’re available, parks(don’t forget State parks), nature areas and preserves, etc. Once you start searching, you’d be surprised what you’ll find right in your own backyard as they say.
Step 2- Figure out when you can go and what budget, if any, you’re working with. So let’s say you were denied vacation time from work. Ok, so when are you off work? Evenings? Weekends? Only a few hours here and there? Still doable! Can’t really afford to spend money on attractions or tickets to places? Still doable! No matter where you live, there are hundreds of FREE things to do that if done right, can make a lasting, FUN, memorable mini-vaca experience for whoever is involved. If you need to go the free route, then focus on listing only those things within your area, or even a half days drive(if you got the time) that are free to do.
Step 3- ENJOY the vacation! Create a mini-vaca plan where you choose one thing from the list for each time you can ‘vacation’, but try to make it extra special and out of the ordinary. Examples:
A. Watch a movie outside your house using a borrowed(from the library or friend) projector and a bed sheet hanging from tent poles or a tree. And don’t forget the movie-styled snacks like popcorn, candies and drinks. Your theater out. B. Go on a nature hike(or nature roll if in wheelchair) to places that either have paved walkways or flat packed dirt terrain. Don’t forget the cellphone or camera!
C. Make an outdoor picnic more fun by going to one of the many State parks available, and ask to use one of the spaces just to have a picnic. Cook your food on the outdoor open wood fired grill. (tastes even better!)
Then take a walk (or roll) around the park with an “Eye-spy” or Bingo game frame of mind, writing down all the things you ‘spy with your little eye”. Don’t tell each other during the walk(if you want to be surprised), then compare lists when you get back to the car. Amazing what you’ll see if you really look.
These are just some ideas to get your brain juices flowing. You can still “Vacation” even if you can’t go to some far-off exotic place. Got a lake, river or ocean beach nearby? A beach is part of an exotic locale, so go for it!
Make sure to put extra effort into the time spent on these little escapes, that way they’re more memorable than just going swimming or going to a park. Try it with a theme for the day, or an hour. Role play as if you’re different people, like Abraham Lincolns’ entire family, or at a museum with planes you pretend that you’re the Wright brothers. For the outing, everyone could wear the same shirt or hat, or even wear sunglasses(the baby too!) Remember, make a theme.
Try acting out a play or a scene from a movie, complete with costumes(no need to buy anything, just use what you have). Make it fun, make it silly, make it memorable, all while being free or almost free. SO doable! Remember to take lots of photos, and write in a vacation journal all that you did. Remember that if you have kids/grandkids, let them help choose or decide what you do or where you go within the limits of your time and funds. Make it fun for everyone! Some of my BEST vacation memories were the mini-vacations called “stay-cations”. They were great!! Here’s to your great summer vacation!