Staycations

Staycations is a new word I've come across this summer. Due to the oil crisis, many people are sticking closer to home. It's actually a great way to get to see your city. I know there are many museums in our city that I've never seen. How about you? Have you been a tourist in your own town?

We've done the basic things like Oriole and Raven's games, Inner Harbor, Baltimore Zoo, Aquarium, etc, but there are tons of neat little museums tucked away on our city streets that I've never visited.

I have a good friend who is usually at the beach for two weeks right now with her family, but due to the economy, they didn't go this year. Instead, they are doing little day trips similar to Dee and her hubby. They visited Longwood Gardens last week and said the gardens are on par with European ones. It's about an hour and a half away and I've never been there. Here's the site if anyone is interested:

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

I think its a good thing that people are finally seeing our beautiful states close up and personal. The family can find a million things to do close to home if they try. Even when we had no problems with gas when I was growing up, our family did things close to home. I knew our city like the back of my hand. I was amazed when moving to Vegas that the least of the entertaining things to do was go to the casinos. There are so many other things to see and experience here. I guess I have always been a close to home kind of gal. Its paying off now too...

Since we live close to Branson, Mo & Eureka Springs AR we've had a lot of Staycations. Plus Hot Springs is only about 4 hrs away. Then we too can incorporate Nashville, Memphis TN & Tunica MS on our way to primairly visit relatives in Nashville TN. I'm doing a one night trip about 2 hrs from my home Thursday.

When people have a stay at home break often they say they are going to Rome..of course meaning going to roam their own area.
We also say "we are going a day here and there"

Museum are such interesting places.A new exihbition opens this week in Edinburgh about all things Scottish through last centuary.Reading about it has meant I plan a visit very soon.It sounds exciting.
Mountain ash

Q Ball, my grandmother's family is from MO (OK resident for 70 years now), do you know any Sharps (Sharpe)?

Dotsie, I checked the Longwood Gardens site, lovely! Please post pictures and enjoy!

Dotsie,
There is the Maryland Historical Society downtown and it is in the old Grayhound bus Terminal now . That is a good place to go and see and the the Museums here Walter's and The Baltimore Art Museums , etc.

Just some thoughts ,
Renee

I've done most things here in Honolulu, on Oahu, but I've yet to hike
Diamond Head Crater. My excuse is that it will always be there LOL!

ha ha, that's good MA, "I'm going to Roam"...

I tend to think the further away, the more interesting. But then I should wonder why we have so many tourists around us. Hmmmm...........

I feel I have to travel in the distance, before I get too old and can't. The immediate surroundings will always be there for my "old age"...but then again, when I'm gone;...after 10 days I'm looking forward to coming home. Oh brother....I have a bad case of “Itchy Pants.”

Mt Ash, I've nevre heard that about going to Roam. Love it!

Mustang, I knew a family years ago here locally named Sharpe. They were in NW AR and came here from somewhere else? Could have been MO? This guy was would be in his 50's now. Don't know any Sharpes from MO. Small world though if one digs long enough.

I love to roam

The staycation idea is here for me, at least this year. For the first year in quite sometime (after helping kids in college LOL), I was able to put a good bit of money into some investments and then the gas crunch hit hard--meaning, not much travel for me this year--bummer!! So luckily, living in Ohio...there are lots of good places to go within a few hours. Just came back from a camping trip on Lake Erie...it was a sort of mini-reunion for me and a friend who lives in Canada and a mini-winery tour for me (yup, there are some GREAT wineries in Ohio!!). Here's some pictures if anyone is interested: http://tinyurl.com/68fjgz

Keyholes, seems like a fun time was had by all

What a beautiful camp ground, keyhole! We camped once in Arcadian Maine. didn't know Chip and Dale lived there too...those chipmunks would zoom into our tents and run in and out of our sleeping bags like in the fastest cartoon clip. It was a riout. I have to admit, though, I didn't sleep well there. Put a bed and a soft pillow in one of those tents...and then I wouldn't have a problem. But sleeping bag, no thank you. lol

& Edelweiss, put that bed & pillows inside 4 walls w/ a door & I then, wouldn't have a problem. LOL I think I got camp~itus while in scouts. First our leaders camped us beside a cemertery and an old church, 2nd it stormed & we got moved into the church. 3rd church was so old and abandon it was full of crawley creatures, IE Spiders, one lone snake, as assortment of bugs and mice. I wanted back outside with the storm! I'm now a total day camper, once it's bedtime, I'm headed to a clean fumigated home, condo or motel. LOL Would love to have had your experience with the chipmucks, they are so cute. Then again, maybe not quite to the extent you had..not sure I'd want to share a bag with one? lol last time I was in a sleeping bag was when the power went out and it was for warmth only.

Since this past May, hubby and I have explored area parks, only a few miles from our house, I didn't know existed. We've had several wonderful experiences: Geocaching sent us on many new hiking trails. Lived here all my life but was unaware of some of the beauty in my own backyard. Ready 2 explore some more!!!!

My camera has done the same for me as geocaching has done for you. I have so many funny or unusual pictures just because I tend to see odd things and want to capture them. (Unusual license plates and signs are one of my "things." For some reasons I have noticed people like those vanity plates and some of them make me laugh a lot. There is one Ohio tag I see all the time around here that proudly states he is a FL GRAD. Now, that's pretty bold near any buckeye lol.)

I've lived somewhere in Ohio all my life, but have always had the roaming itch. Like you I've found lots of interesting places right close to home. Managed to travel through most of the US thanks to a former employer lol and that hasn't helped me much. I'd love to buy a much better camera but it's not possible right now..I'm waiting to see if one of my daughters who is a photography major will sell off any of her equipment as she gets more settled and finds a better job. I would consider buying her old stuff from her, heck...the kids today have some of the coolest toys anyway and I don't need the latest and greatest just for hobby stuff.

Edleweiss, not only do Chip and Dale live there but so do Peppy LePew and Rocky Raccoon. I managed to snap a picture several years ago of a skunk digging into one of our coolers. I think I would prefer Chip and Dale LOL.

We had blow up mattresses and battery-charged air pumps (recharge them via the car). Makes it much much more comfy. I don't camp more than once or twice a year, so the primitive camping (no RVs, running water, electricity, etc.) is not so bad for a weekend jaunt.

Still lots to explore at home where we live. I have not cycled up....any mountain at all yet. and we live in an area ringed by local mountains to try.

There are lots of serious hiking trails in the local mountains..and more bike routes we have not tried yet. I'm such a lazy bum, I don't even go to the better and bigger Chinatown that is further out in the suburbs (actually too car-congested and insane on weekends). I shop/stick around the old, historic Chinatown that's closer to home.

I know there's way more to explore locally...where I work now, there will be major road bridge that our organization will finish building next year...that will open more areas to locals to enjoy parks, trails, etc.

One thing for certain, to live in our area..means it encourages you to become more fit with many choice sports and things to see..and enjoy the wonders of great local outdoors.