THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
August Vacation Blues.
August is just around the corner. If you are like most, there has not been an August like this in a long time, if ever.
When I was a kid, that meant another month of summer vacation. Labor day and the beginning of School was far off in the distance.
And there was usually an August vacation somewhere in there.
Later on, it meant to start buying school supplies only a few weeks left.
Now there are schools in America that are starting August 1.
Where did the August vacation go?
August was the family vacation month. My family spent most of August on the shores of Lake Michigan. Swimming in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, and watching incredible sunsets, with a better one the next day. And feasting on the fresh fruits and vegetables, we would pick ourselves or find at a roadside stand.
Now even roadside stands are getting hard to find.
When Did August Stop Being Summer?
Many families are on the current school schedule and must plan around that.
But I know people whose kids are through college and they are still on the program around the school schedule. As Alice Cooper told us back in 1972, School’s out for summer. School’s out forever.
So get some August vacation back in your summer.
This summer, most of us need it more than ever.
The Mediterranian, well, all of Europe is out. You cannot get there.
Flying to Grandma’s or flying anywhere is probably not on your comfort scale. Has anyone seen any real bargains on fares?
So what do you do with a perfectly good August?
Why not relive a happy August vacation memory from your past?
What did your family do for August Vacation?
Camp in the Great Smokie mountains?
Then go camping. Set up the tent in the backyard for the grandchildren. You can supervise them from the back porch with a cold one.
“Hike” around the block, or take a walk in a park nearby.
Burn something on the grill, or don’t cook it thoroughly. Or go for the trifecta, burn it but still end up with something raw in the middle. That’s campfire cooking.
Or pick up from the local Bonanza or Ponderosa steakhouse.
A Little Further Than the Backyard.
Drive to a nearby campsite or state park if you are comfortable with that. Or just go for a hike and picnic and come home to sleep.
If your immune system and mask are in place, go glamping.
Leave the tent and gear at home and Glamp it (glamour camping).
At least stay somewhere with an excellent mattress that doesn’t vibrate and has consistent hot water.
You don’t need to relive EVERY part of the trip. Your back will thank you.
Google “historic” and “B&B” for the area you are visiting.
Go to the beach! Leave the Nook at home and find a real paperback to read. There is just nothing like the feel of a paperback book.
This August vacation is about reliving memories.
Is that cottage or motel still there? See if you can even reserve a few nights mid-week. If not, upgrade to something with better mattresses and soaps.
What’s new in the area since you were last there? Wineries? New restaurants and shops?
Window shopping is free and relatively safe if you do not stick your nose to the windows.
Is there something that is just the same since you were last there?
Or How About Where You Took Your Family?
What did your kids look forward to doing on August vacation? Why not revisit one of those happy memories.
If it’s not too late, ask the kids to join you even if it’s only for part of the time.
Once again, glam it up a little. The five of you do not have to share one room.
The mega theme parks are probably not accessible unless you have a season pass or previous reservation.
Is there anything else in the area worth seeing? That place that every year, you would say, “We really should check that out sometime.” Maybe now is the time.
The August Vacation you were always Going On.
How about somewhere you said you would visit “when the kids grow up.” A National Park?
The “best view” rooms are probably not available. But you didn’t travel to a national park to see it through a window. Get out and experience them.
The August Vacation not for Children.
Is that place an incredible restaurant? A fancy hotel or museum? Something you have an interest in that does not involve a character?
If they are open, you may be able to get a table.
If your comfort level allows, do a get-away to THAT grande hotel, bed, and breakfast, wine lodge, etc.
Check their websites. Many are open, although with limited services.
Some have much lower prices than usual, so maybe they are no longer “unreachable.”
Are park or ocean views finally affordable?
Tour that museum or historical building and have an “experience.”
Where did your August vacation go? Get it back. You deserve it.
Go for ice cream.
Catch a ladybug.
Do not run behind a truck spraying mosquito insecticide. Amazingly, some of us are alive.
Walk around a lake or drive in the country for a few hours.
It does not have to be a week or a month at a cottage or campground.
But plan an August “vacation” today, even if it does not go any further than the backyard.
See more U.S. destinations: See the United States.
Scroll down to the “Please Leave a Reply” section at the bottom. Please tell me your thoughts on:
“What is your favorite August Vacation memory?”
Please help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below. – THANKS!
“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.