Save the Vacation
As high transportation costs force many Americans to consider the "staycation" this summer, retailers are stocking their shelves with stay-at-home summer indulgences, reports The Columbus Dispatch. Sierra magazine asks a similar question: Is the family vacation gone for good?
Don't give up on that summer get-away just yet! Keep your green by punctuating the summer with low-impact, local vacations. Bike or walk a regional trail to cut carbon emissions and save gas money. Switch homes with a friend for an easy change of scenery. Visit a farm in your area to see where that organic produce is grown, then pack up your locally-grown goodies and enjoy a picnic at your nearest local park.
Still craving a "real" vacation? Read and share stories with Sierra readers here. Search Sierra Club Outings for trips and offset your emissions.
--D.W.
Every family must the a vacant together. Family bonding ROCKS!
Posted by: Social Network Web Design | June 09, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Well we're taking the train this year - riding the "City of New Orleans" to Chicago and using public transit to get around in the city. That's better than flying somewhere and renting a car. And we'll have a lot of time for "family bonding" during the train ride.
Posted by: Patricia | June 10, 2008 at 06:58 AM
I live in Norfolk and a friend and I are going to Richmond for the weekend. It's only 1.5 hrs away and we're packing the bikes. There are some great green spaces in Richmond, VA...surprisingly! Check out your state's website to see what parks are within a couple of hours of your home. Depending on where you live, it may be mild enough for you to even camp.
Posted by: Sara B, Norfolk | June 10, 2008 at 07:08 AM
This is a difficult one: what if your family lives abroad? And public transportation in this country doesn't accept dogs? We're trying our best...
Posted by: ccsoleil | June 10, 2008 at 07:24 AM
I'm happy to see that other families are rethinking their summer vacations too. If you add us all up, we are making a sizable impact! Not only is flying expensive these days, it's dirty. My family has decided not to fly anywhere this year and not to drive a 1000 mile loop down to California like we usually do. We may spend a little time at the Oregon coast, not too far away. Certainly we will be looking for more fun in our own city (Portland, OR) and ways to make staying home feel like vacation. Two years ago, we moved back into the urban core to cut down on driving and consolidate our life. Staycationing is a logical next step in that progression.
Posted by: reason17 | June 10, 2008 at 08:58 AM
P.S. We don't have dogs or family abroad. I can sympathize with those who do. If those of us who can stay home or vacation small, it will free up some carbon credits for those who really must travel.
Posted by: reason17 | June 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Good tip. We are stycation this year, and for the longer run pushing local authorities for more local transit, such as expanding our bus system.Thanks for your work. Harold Berliner
Posted by: Harold Berliner | June 10, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Forgive the sarcasm, but cmon already. Most of these daily tips are interesting, they have convinced me to change some behaviors, such as driving slower, air drying my laundry, and unplugging unused appliances, especially electronics, when not in use. But give up my summer vacation! The options offered were pretty lame, and while we should be mindful of our carbon footprint, we have to live our lives. I wouldn't give up my summer trip to the Sierras in Northern California for anything, no matter the cost of gas. Here's an idea for those that really want to limit their carbon footprint, never leave the house, don't watch TV, listen to the radio, use the computer, or read a book, don't eat food or drink water. That should reduce your carbon footprint to near zero.
Posted by: nmark03 | June 10, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I don't think travel should be given up. Hopefully more green ways will be made available. People should visit other parts of the country and the world. It is educational and mind expanding. Isolation leads to negative mind sets and political decisions. It is how apartheid started in South Africa.
Posted by: Joanne Drabek | June 10, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Consider vacationing with someone else. If you can carpool to your destination, do it. If you can share your lodging, do it.
Become a tourist WHERE YOU LIVE. Maybe you've seen everything before, but you'd be surprised how much fun it is to stay in a luxury hotel and go to some special outdoor "summer entertainment". Or, get on a local tour bus and visit nearby points of interest. I bet you really haven't seen everything!
Personally, I'm taking community transit into downtown Seattle, and then a tour bus to the newly remodeled Mt. Rainier lodge for two nights. Since I'm not paying for transportation to some far away place, I can afford to spend a little extra on lodging. I'll spend the day before and after being a tourist and using public transportation to visit Seattle's Pike Place Market and the waterfront, among other places. If I time it right, I can even go sailing on a "tall ship". I'm using less carbon, going with other people (even if I don't know them) and supporting the local economy.
Posted by: carol | June 11, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Consider vacationing with someone else. If you can carpool to your destination, do it. If you can share your lodging, do it.
Become a tourist WHERE YOU LIVE. Maybe you've seen everything before, but you'd be surprised how much fun it is to stay in a luxury hotel and go to some special outdoor "summer entertainment". Or, get on a local tour bus and visit nearby points of interest. I bet you really haven't seen everything!
Personally, I'm taking community transit into downtown Seattle, and then a tour bus to the newly remodeled Mt. Rainier lodge for two nights. Since I'm not paying for transportation to some far away place, I can afford to spend a little extra on lodging. I'll spend the day before and after being a tourist and using public transportation to visit Seattle's Pike Place Market and the waterfront, among other places. If I time it right, I can even go sailing on a "tall ship". I'm using less carbon, going with other people (even if I don't know them) and supporting the local economy.
Posted by: carol | June 11, 2008 at 04:28 PM
democrats are at fault for the energy crisis because their scientist have not been able to find a fuel to replace oil.they only have bandaids, they were to busy chasing the global warming hoax.i live in louisiana and we have the best offshore fishing because of the oilrigs creating reefs.the scuba is great also so maney tropical fish.the fishing is better than florida.if katrina would hit louisiana with these high prices of gas people would be killing each other for fuel.i know i was here.a human life would not be worth a gallon of gas.save energy limit computer use to one hour a day.
Posted by: zap | June 11, 2008 at 06:02 PM
computers and cell phones are not necesities we should stop using them.i stopped going out to eat and weekend partying because i dont have extra money due to high fuel prices.this has caused alot of people in New Orleans to loose there jobs.economic disaster is coaming.
Posted by: zap | June 11, 2008 at 06:15 PM
bike riding should be taxed your expelling more carbon dioxide than everyone else.
Posted by: zap | June 11, 2008 at 07:15 PM
I really enjoyed reading this post, thank you. Some very interesting points to think about. It would be great, if you're interested, to share this at http://www.iloho.com. It's an online tool for travelers where you can post the best travel news and articles on the web and then vote for your favorites.
Posted by: Angel | June 25, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Your thought is totally true, I completely agree with you. I totally love bike riding...
Posted by: woody | June 27, 2008 at 05:27 AM
The interesting thing about a STAYCATION is that we all benefit. Those who stay closer to home still get a 'vacation' and the attractions still get visitors because the local or semi local residents still go to the attractions.
It is a win win situation. How many times do we not go to the local attractions that we live withing a days driving distance? We don't need to always travel far distances to see our beautiful country.
That's my 2 cents worth. :)
Posted by: Orlando Vacations | August 31, 2008 at 06:31 PM
I agree that most of us don't get out to see local attractions in our area. I've heard comments from many Eastern Canadian tourists. Many have seen more of our beautiful Rocky Mountains than I ever have. It's actually quite embarassing!
It's really nice to see the green shift and that so many vacationers are actual making an effort to save gas and cut pollution.
Posted by: save gas | January 11, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Great post very informative and will recommend to a few friends! Also added you to my rss reader!!! -Victor
Posted by: Vaction Rentals | March 10, 2009 at 05:16 PM