Summer Fun on a Budget

I don't get to spend much time at home, ever. I take Christmas (and my birthday) off for the winter vacation week. The wife's birthday is in the summer, so I take my second week off then. We generally go someplace interesting and spend way too much money. So here are some suggestions for mini-vacations that you can take on a weekend during the summer. We do these things every chance we get.

Summer Fun Tip One

There is probably a river or lake somewhere near where you live. That's the best idea. You don't have to go very far and it can be a one or two day trip without much effort. Plan a picnic or a day of fishing for the quick get-away. If you have more time, most lakes and rivers have campgrounds or just secluded spots. If you have a dog, take him along. Our dog was a great swimmer and gave us hours of entertainment out camping.

Summer Fun Tip Two

How about museums? There must be some in your area. Whether you like art, or science or history, a trip to a museum can be a blast. The Rail Road Museum in Sacramento, Ca. is a great place to spend the day. Or Sutters Fort, also in Sacramento, is like a trip into the past. Virginia City is a one day trip from where we live now, and one of our favorites. We have been there several times and found new things of interest each time.

Summer Fun Tip Three

The wife loves music of all kinds. Me, I like Country and Golden Oldies. But summer is a great time to check out concerts in your area. The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra gives an outdoor concert around the Fourth of July every year. We always attend. She goes even if I can't. Everywhere in the country there is an outdoor concert sometime during the summer. Take a picnic and enjoy the music.

Summer Fun Tip Four

Have a barbecue in your yard and invite all your friends. Celebrate sunshine! We had one two years ago with thirty guests. Everyone brought something different and we all made pigs of ourselves. Some of our friends are musicians and they grabbed their instruments after dinner. It was a wonderful evening!

Summer Fun Tip Five

If you have relatives who live close enough, and you can stand them (!), plan a brief family reunion. In years gone by, we used to rent an entire campground and invite all the relatives. Every family brought enough food to feed the whole group for one day. We stayed five days, back then, and there were five family units attending. The whole campground cost us about a hundred dollars (which we all shared) and had a section of a stream that was ours alone. Not only was it a good opportunity to catch up with relatives, but there was fishing, swimming and card playing around the campfire.

Summer Fun Tip Six

Enjoy the evenings, before the mosquitoes come out, in your own yard. Turn off the television, ignore the phone, and spend some quite, quality time with the one you love. It's a great way to relax.