Want to Get Away? Stay Home with a Staycation.

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Explore your eco-region. David Medaris at Madison, Wisconsin’s Isthmus (June 12, 2008) writes about a short road trip with friends in which they stay at a lakeside cabin and make day jaunts for rock climbing, wine tasting, and geocaching. The Colorado Springs Independent (June 26, 2008) celebrates its area by suggesting swimming in a reservoir, soaking in hot springs, or horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods. But, of course, we don’t all have the Garden of the Gods out our back door. “Living near a major city or in gorgeous surroundings . . . is a huge advantage over someone who is stuck in Waco, Texas,” Dixon writes. Still, once you start seeking out local natural attractions, you’ll be surprised at how much scenic beauty is right under your nose.

Volunteer. The Independent suggests a stint on a local trail maintenance project, Six in the Wilderness, or another gig through the group Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Find a local volunteer opportunity that appeals to your passions.

Keep it in the family. “My dad recently turned 89,” writes Paula Stuart Warren on Ancestry.com, “and my present to him was our own staycation of guided family history tours around the area to places where various family members lived over the years.” The endeavor turned into a string of treasured reminiscences for her father, as well as a block of truly high-quality family time.

Go green. Got no car or want to min­imize your travel footprint? Plenty (Oct. 2, 2008) suggests visiting Public Transportation.org to find out about communal travel in your area, or going to carpool websites like RideAmigos or Zimride to hook up with someone.

Feel free. Of course, since the whole point of a vacation is to do whatever you find refreshing and rewarding, don’t feel you have to meet anyone’s expectations about what it should include. With the right ingredients and attitude, even the mundane can be sublime. As one online commenter writes, “I have always felt like the best part of the staycation is that you get to really enjoy the time off, without all of the hassles of vacation. I enjoy travel and food the old-fashioned way: Slowly, and with great deliberation. And great enjoyment. Stay home. Slow down. Truly enjoy everything—sleeping late, long brunches, afternoon woo-hoo, and quiet, lovely evenings together.”

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