Memorial Day weekend signals the “official" start of the summer holidays. Even though the first day of summer doesn’t occur until June 21st (give or take a few hours), for most people prom is a distant memory, graduation parties are over, and school has drawn to a close for another few months. Many people haven’t had a decent day off since the Christmas holidays, so folks are itching to get out there and enjoy a real vacation, even if only for a few days. There’s a frantic rush to pack the suitcases and load up the car, hit the highway or drive to the airport, and get away to a place that’s jam-packed full of adventure and excitement for the entire family.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? It can be. But generally there are three problems with vacations of this type. First, they can be expensive. Even buying package deals that include air fare, hotel, and car rental, a one-week vacation to a vacation Mecca like Orlando or southern California can run upwards of two or three weeks’ worth of pay. (And if you think you can save money by driving instead of flying – well, have you seen the cost of gasoline lately?) Secondly, these types of vacations usually require advance planning and saving. They’re not the kind of trips you’d take if you suddenly decided to take three days off next week and get away. And finally, with all the places you can go and things you can see and do in one location, the temptation is to cram as much activity into as little time as possible. You end up coming home having missed some of the stuff you really wanted to see and being more tired when you go back to work than when you left for your vacation in the first place!
The alternative seems to be don’t go anywhere and stay at home to get some R&R (that’s “rest and relaxation" for those of you who’ve never heard the term). But “vacations" like this tend to turn into work holidays, doing things around the house in addition to the regular routine, and that’s not really any fun.
It’s too bad there’s not another option when taking time off – one that will let you get away from the daily grind and not ruin either your bank account or your mind and body. Unless…wait a minute…maybe there is! Consider these possibilities when time is short, finances are limited, and peace of mind is nowhere to be found.
Take a Day Trip
Check your local bookstore, used bookstore, or local library and find a book that has information on one- and two-day trips close to your area. You may think these are only worthwhile if you live within a few hours of a large metropolitan area. Wrong. You’d be surprised at the kinds of activities available to you in smaller rural areas – local historical celebrations, food and cultural festivals, and the like. Kids who are used to a more urban or suburban lifestyle may balk at the idea of visiting a smaller community to find entertainment. Talk it over with them ahead of time, explaining where you’ll be going and what activities you’re planning. Let them bring along their electronic entertainment for the down times, but when the family’s out together, the iPods and Game Boy Advanced consoles stay powered off and tucked away.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
If you’re one of those families who enjoy spending time together enjoying Mother Nature, consider checking out campgrounds within your area. Getting out for a day or two of camping, fishing, or hunting can be entertaining and relaxing at the same time. Just make sure that this doesn’t turn into “home away from home" for Mom, and she stays away from doing laundry, making meals, and scheduling everyone’s spare time.
Go Local
If you absolutely can’t get out of town, even for one night, make a day of it locally. Rise early, get on the road and explore your own city. Check out your local museums, art and theater districts, or city parks. Investigate historical landmarks and check to see if there are any low- or no-cost tours available. (Note: The same publishers who produce those one- and two-day road trip guides have publications for even shorter trips, some as short as an hour or two.) Make sure you’re gone for the day, just as if you were out of town. When you are at home, let the answering machine pick up the phone calls. Don’t even think about running errands or doing housework. Eat our or pick up fast food to bring home.
Slow Down
Regardless of where you go or what you do, remember it’s not necessary to do everything in one trip. Rushing around to visit five attractions in three days keeps family members on edge trying to keep to an impossible timetable. You’ll come back from vacation even more worn out than you were before you left. Besides, if you do everything the first time, you won’t have anything new to do the next time you visit. Leave some things undone so that family members have something to look forward to on a future trip. Encourage everyone to bring along books, travel versions of board games, or word puzzle books for those times when things are slow. In fact, plan some slow time into your vacation. After all, this is the time you’re supposed to get away from all the stuff that wears you out, remember? Unless there’s an emergency, don’t power up that work laptop and don’t answer the Blackberry. Stay in the motel for a few hours each day, allowing time for reading, swimming, or napping. Leave the TV off, let the phone calls go to voice mail, and don’t go to the movies. Allow people to have the chance to let their bodies and minds wind down and recuperate from the stress of the regular routine.
You don’t always have the time or resources to take a full-blown resort-style vacation. The alternative doesn’t have to be staying at home. Give your mind, body, and wallet a break and consider taking the family on a few of these short-term trips over the summer. You might find yourself having more fun than you’re willing to admit!
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