Alas, every quasi-clever, overly-promoted media spectacle has its grains of truth.
The idea of a “staycation,” a faux-vacation spent close to home, starts to sound better and better as rising gas and food prices gouge families’ summer vacations.
Never fear. Luckily, local families have plenty of great, cheap ways to get out of the house, including hitting up the lakes, catching outdoor movies and discovering new parks. (Telling the kids a tepid, above-ground pool is just like Disneyland doesn’t count.)
This corner of the Pacific Northwest is rife with vacation destinations; it would be a shame to start September without at least visiting a couple. For example, mix a picnic with a little cinematic catharsis at one of several free outdoor movie series. Everett shows free outdoor movies every Friday night until Aug. 15. Marysville, Arlington and Edmonds also sprinkle free flicks across the summer. Everett has free waterfront concerts every Thursday night. Bring a blanket, snacks and law chairs, or a penchant for peering over heads.
Jetty Island is only a short drive and a free ferry ride away from most homes. Just try to dip your toes into the warm, sandy goodness and maintain bitterness about escalating airfare. Other hot water spots include Lake Stevens, Lake Goodwin and Lake Martha. We can’t list ‘em all, but they’re there. To find staycation spots, scan The Herald Good Life and Save-A-Buck features and check out cities’ Web sites. Think like a tourist, but without the fanny pack.
Another worthy morning can be spent at farmer’s markets in Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Mukilteo or Snohomish. Let the kids each pick out a fruit or vegetable they’ve never heard of before. If they hunger for something sweeter, talk about the exploitation of agricultural labor until their eyes glaze over like candy-coated apples.
Garage sales tours also provide a safe-bet Saturday — if you can handle the kids’ pleas for sketchy, used stuffed animals. If nothing else, the tour will be a nice reminder that everyone else keeps too much useless junk.
With a quick Internet search and a short drive, it’s ridiculously easy to find free concerts. Free water parks. Fishing. Hiking. All the things you’ll fantasize about in a few months while watching out for black ice.
For a more “vacationy” experience, the experts recommended turning off the cell phone, leaving the mailbox unopened and telling friends and family you’ve actually left town. Small indulgences can be justified because of the money saved on hotels, restaurants and gas.
The term “staycation” may have been coined to sell barbecues, but heck, at least it’s an excuse to put off the housework. You’re on vacation, for Pete’s sake.
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