Just today I read another article encouraging Arkansans to opt for “staycations” this summer, trading travel to faraway places for visits to local sites and attractions right here in our home state.
Over the years I have enjoyed traveling to (or through) most states in the U.S. and to a handful of other countries, but I am all over the idea of also exploring what’s close by in our own backyard. And, the more I see of it, themore convinced I am that Arkansas is a great place to “staycation.”
Since visiting all 52 state parks and the six national parklands a couple of years ago, I am more fascinated than ever with Arkansas and the variety of landscapes and activities suitable for many different indoor and outdoor entertainment preferences. We are lucky to live here.
Until a couple years ago I wasn’t familiar at all with the term “staycation.” Now,however, that the economy is droopy and gasoline is like liquid gold, the idea is becoming a catch phrase. Who would have dreamed that the words “stay” and “vacation” could sound so cool combined? It is a clever concoction of a word and sort of fun to say. On one hand it means we can’t afford an expensive trip, but what we do instead might even be better.
I like what the word says about us in light of hard times. Generally, we are resilient and resourceful and determined to find ways to do things we enjoy with our families. In spite of current economic woes, we will not let go of our vacation dreams altogether. We’ll tweak them to be more realistic, whatever that may look like. If that means taking inthe sites closer to home, then we’ll have a good time doing it. Maybe we’ll even count our blessings and be glad that we don’t have to face the hassle of updating our passports.
OK, maybe that is going a little too far. If money were no object, I am sure I would trade a “staycation” to the upper Buffalo River area for a two week vacation in Paris. But that’s not an option this year and you won’t catch me whining. I am still finding new places close by to explore. In fact, we just returned from a mini staycation a few days ago and it was a blast.
Earl and I took our 11-year-old grandson Glendon and his friend Caleb with us to our cabin in the woods near Kingston. If they enjoyed it half as much as they seemed to, the trip was an easy success. I didn’t have to do much except keep them fed, remind them to check for ticks and help find worms to use for fishing bait. Being two creativeminded middle-schoolaged boys, they never ran out of things to do. I took lots of pictures and made them each a CD so they could share their memories with their families once they returned home. Everything went well with just enough adventure to keep things interesting, but in the end both boys were delivered back to their families safely and soundly with new “mini staycation” memories and all their belongings except for one tooth.
Staycations can be some of the most enjoyable times and can serve to give us agreater appreciation for what the local area has to offer.
There are many people who travel here from far away to enjoy our state, and we have the benefit of doing it without the expense and hassle of making a long trip. Even on a tight budget, it isn’t difficult to find plenty of things to see and do, especially if you are willing to wander off the beaten path.
And, if you want to add to your adventures, take along a couple of 11-yearold boys.
Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 06/22/2011