Back Yard Vacations
Many people assume that they have to go to a far off place in order to have a great break and ignore back yard vacations as destinations. Why? It is often thought that the distance of a vacation destination away from home somehow seems to relate to a better quality vaction. In fact, the travel industry has at its heart the embedded philosophy that one must travel in order to enjoy, or to have at the very minimum something called this magic getaway.
For others, there is no doubt that far afield travel is the only way to even think of taking time off that is meaningful. Some people, like a friend of mine, thinks that hard work at the end of every tax year must be accompanied by booking leisure time in some exotic destination, and rounded off with a week long cruise to a beautiful tropical environment. And, while I certainly could get used to this type of time away from the office or work routine, this doesn't have to be the only way.
For those of us that long for something different in taking time off, and especially if the dollars just aren't there for such trips, there are alternatives.
Alternatives to those far off destinations requiring a lot of time to get there, a lot of expense whether that involves putting gas in the vehicle, or spending hard earned money on overnight accommodation just so you can get within a days drive of your vacation spot, all adds up to expense that can not be easily afforded by most.
Now, when you add the additional cost of a family to your get away plans, it may seem like you have to take out a second mortgage on your home, or end up selling off some of your possessions on ebay just to give you enough cash to enjoy one trip, once a year. The question then is, what are the options or alternatives?
One of those options is to explore back yard vacations that are close at hand, don't take days and days of stressful road time to get to, and that a young family can more easily afford.
A really comfortable weekend sojourn is to take that family tent into the backyard. Set up your tent as if you were at a far off campsite where you have to ensure you've got everything you need to survive for two days. Part of the excitement when you have small children is to let them use their imagination to help build up the fun and excitement as they partake in this back yard camping trip. Make sure you, as a parent, bring along the right food, snacks, treats, and those comfortable lawn chairs, blankets, and outdoor grill because you have to stay there too. No cheating either by running off to the house to get something you forgot unless you take the kids with you as if you were on your way to a remote country or wilderness store.
Here is another option. If you have a friend, or grandparent that lives in a close by neighbourhood, or lives with in a two hour drive, then see if you can use their backyard to add a little unusual local or special landscaping to the outing. With a bit of imagination, I'm sure you'll come up with even more enticing locations that are close by, don't cost a firtune, and yet give you a fun filled time open to new feelings of togetherness.
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