Staycation Ideas

Archive for October, 2009

Staycation Specials: Kimpton offers Bay Bridge closure deal San Jose Mercury News The unexpected closure of the Bay Bridge this past week prompted Kimpton Hotels to slash rates at eight of its San Francisco hotels.

Excerpt from:
Staycation Specials: Kimpton offers Bay Bridge closure deal – San Jose Mercury News

Staycation Specials: Weekend for vampire fans in San Francisco San Jose Mercury News If you still haven't made plans for Halloween, consider booking the Vampire Weekend package at Hotel Triton in San Francisco. … and more

BBC News Museums 'boosted by staycation ' BBC News UK museums and art galleries have seen a rise in visitor numbers due to the recession but face financial worries, a new study has revealed.

See original here:
Museums ‘boosted by staycation’ – BBC News

For some people, the only good thing about winter coming is the turning of the leaves. While you may not be ready for snow and cold, it’s hard not to appreciate the color show nature puts on right before winter. If you live in a state with four distinct seasons, now’s the time to get out and enjoy the reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and browns that are autumn.

How to Make it Happen

Mother Nature does all the work. All you have to do is go for a walk or a drive. If you go by car, pick the curviest road in your county and don’t rush. Let cars pass you by. Just enjoy the scenery.

Additional Activities

1. Create a leaf collection from leaves you found on your walk. Learn what type of trees they come from.
2. Fall is the perfect time to plant a tree. Plant one in your yard, or donate one to a city park.

One of the great sights in nature is to see a flock of geese flying south for the winter. Seeing the geese, the ducks, the herons and others is a bittersweet good-bye ritual. We don’t want to see them go, but we love seeing them fly. Their departure means cold weather is coming, but we know also, that they will return in the spring.

How to Make it Happen

Migratory birds are in decline worldwide and several organizations are devoted to studying why. You can help them.

Visit www.charityguide.org/volunteer/vacation/bird-migration.htm for ideas on how you can help track the migratory patterns of birds in your area. (You can even sign-up for vacation packages that are devoted to this activity).

You can also call your state’s Department of Natural Resources for the best times and observatories to view migrating flocks in your state. Take binoculars, take a camera, or just take yourself and enjoy the site.

Additional Activities

1. Return in the spring to watch birds migrate north.
2. Learn some birdcalls and try them out on a nature hike.
3. Go bird watching in your backyard.