Staycation comes from the combination of two words, “stay” and “vacation” – literally staying at home but enjoying activities within driving distance of home sweet home, which may or may not mean spending the night out. While many folks don’t think of staying at home and a vacation in the same breath, the coronavirus has made people more creative at coming up with enjoyment ideas. Let’s look at some ways a staycation can benefit each of us, particularly because of the virus, tight budgets, or lack of time.
Let friends know you’ll be “gone” and then do it. This might entail turning off your phone or not checking the deluge of emails that constantly arrive. Hide the alarm clock, sleep late, eat a forbidden dessert because you’ve been on a diet, settle back with a bowl of popcorn and watch a movie on Netflix you’ve been dying to see.
1. Assuming a museum or attraction is open and employs mandated social distancing regulations in place, play tourist. Perhaps you’re not ready to get amongst groups of people (I’m not); if this is the case, then simply visit an area of town you’ve not explored. A walk along the river, or the North Shore, for instance, may give you new insights into our city. How about a day hike? We’re surrounded by mountains, high and low, so no matter how advanced you are(n’t), there’s something for everyone. And everybody loves a picnic so fill a basket or bag with a blanket, some plates and glasses, forks and knives, food, and wine. Have fun!
2. Pop up a tent in the back yard. Obviously the kiddos will enjoy this adventure. On the other hand, if you stock the tent with a decent pad, some flameless candles, soft music, and snacks, this might make for a romantic visit to beat a hotel anytime. (Don’t forget the Vitamin B1 I’ve advised unless you like munchin’ mosquitoes.) Or, instead, rent an RV to park in the driveway – you know, the one with air-conditioner for the 100 degree summer weather in our area)
3. Try a new project. Maybe you’d like to take cooking class online or learn to play the guitar. YouTube is a fantastic avenue for all kinds of instruction so just turn on the TV and go to town. Speaking of a learning a new talent, take the cooking lessons from a personal chef and, afterwards when COVID is a thing of the past, you can utilize those new talents to host a dinner party to impress your guests.