Summer Staycations

Click below to read about the journeys we embarked on this summer. Simply use the comments to tell us what makes your hometown special!

Join us in celebrating the unique adventures of our community!

Heidi's Staycation

This summer, my family and I embarked on some truly magical getaways that filled our hearts with joy and our days with fun! Here’s a whimsical recap of our sun-soaked escapades:

Northern Vermont Magic Our annual Vermont trip is like a treasure we unearth every year. Our cozy cabin nestled in the woods by a serene lake has been a cherished escape for decades. With no TV, Wi-Fi, or cell service, it’s the ultimate digital detox! I revel in the simple pleasures of lakefront lounging, swimming, kayaking, and playing family games. It’s pure bliss being unplugged from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Monument Beach Bliss Just a hop, skip, and a jump from home, Monument Beach is our local paradise. I love hanging out with friends while the kids splash around in the waves. With easy access and only a couple of miles away, it’s the perfect spot for spontaneous beach days and sun-kissed fun.

Water Wizz Wonders A few weeks ago, I had a splash-tastic day with my oldest son at Water Wizz! The adrenaline-pumping rides and watery thrills were a hit, but the highlight was seeing my son's face light up with joy. Bonus: I even bumped into an old friend there, making the day even more special!

Roger Williams Park Zoo Adventure Last weekend, we ventured to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI, and wow—what an experience! This zoo is a marvel, with its well-kept grounds and a fantastic array of animals, from majestic giraffes to playful parrots. We had an amazing time exploring, and I can’t wait to go back to enjoy their swan boat rides, botanical garden, natural history museum, planetarium, and exciting events!

Here’s to a summer filled with unforgettable moments and family fun!

Betsy's Staycation

This summer on Cape Cod has been a whirlwind of excitement! Not only did I welcome my very first grandson, (woohoo!), but I also brought home an adorable new kitten named Casey. Between baby snuggles and kitten playtime, it's been a season of joy and new beginnings!  

Heather's Staycation

Cape Cod is a feast for the senses, especially in the summertime when its charm doubles, or even triples, for the influx of visitors. Thanks to the rise of remote work, the Cape has become busier, but don't worry—there are still plenty of hidden back roads and secret spots waiting to be discovered!

During my staycation, I embraced the thrill of the open road on my motorcycle and the serenity of the water while kayaking with my family.

There's nothing quite like riding my motorcycle with the wind in my face, the scent of honeysuckle blooms filling the air as I cruise through quaint neighborhoods. The salty tang of the ocean and the earthy aroma of the marshlands are like nature’s own perfume, guiding the way as we ride through Woods Hole. Passing by the iconic Nobska Lighthouse, the historic cottages on stilts, and sunbathers soaking up the golden rays, it’s a sensory adventure like no other.

Another day, we swapped wheels for paddles and set out on the Bass River for an afternoon of kayaking and sightseeing. With a backdrop of million-dollar homes and boats dotting the shoreline, the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. We packed a simple lunch of deli sandwiches and water, perfect for a peaceful picnic along the way, making for a day of relaxed exploration and family fun.

Sue's Staycation

This Summer we’ve been tourists in our town.  On a recent Saturday, the day started with a bike ride to Sandy Hook National Park to participate in the offered Beach Yoga.  A great venue for yoga with the warmth of the sun, the sounds of the ocean and ospreys in nearby nests.  Afterwards, we visited some of the other places at Sandy Hook National Park:  Beach D, life saving station including climbing up the tower for a great view and learning some history.  We grabbed a coffee from one of the food trucks and continued on to the end of the park to check out an observation deck which included some facts about the wildlife in the area including birds, insects and seals!

We continued on to the History House where we were able to walk through the home of a US Army Lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row to learn about life on the home front during World War II, and wrapped up our visit to Sandy Hook National Park with a tour of a lighthouse and keeper’s quarters.  Definitely recommend visiting!

If you stay until sunset, you can stand with NYC view across the ocean, by the chapel, and listen to taps being played and echoed each day at the US Coast Guard station.  It is a beautiful daily occurrence.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, for a delicious lunch, you can either eat at the restaurant by the Coast Guard Station, McFlys on the Hook or pedal to Woody’s in nearby Seabright.

So much more to do on Sandy Hook, we’ll need another day!

Jenn's Staycation

This summer, I've found my happy place at Salisbury Beach, a breezy escape from the Florida heat. Just an hour north of Boston, right on the New Hampshire border, this little slice of coastal heaven has it all. Picture this: cool morning breezes on the porch, where I sip my coffee while watching surf lessons and scanning the waves for seals or even a passing whale—yep, they do make an appearance!

Weekends are a blast with concerts and fireworks lighting up the night sky. If you're up for a stroll, the lively center of town is just a short walk away, brimming with delicious food and live entertainment. And let's not forget the scenic coastal trails and the charm of nearby historic Newburyport. Salisbury Beach is the ultimate summer playground—come join the fun!

Alissa's Staycation

Summer of 2024: I Stayed, I Played, and I Vacayed!

This summer has been one for the ages, action-packed with the perfect balance of activities near and far! 

Staycation:

We kicked off summer close to home with the First Annual Goodguys Mid-Atlantic Nationals car show at the Dover Motor Speedway in Dover, DE. This inaugural event drew over 2,000 custom, classic, hot rods, imports, and muscle cars & trucks to our town, and we loved every minute of the event. Watching the autocross and the burnout competitions inspired my husband, who attempted to coerce me into entering the minivan into the autocross. I politely declined. 

The staycation continued as we enjoyed some water adventures during the 4th of July week with our visiting family members from VT & NJ. The festivities began with a good old-fashioned celebration jam-packed with food, fun, and many, many jokes! Next, the kids got a round of golf and some basketball under their belts before we hit the water park at Killen’s Pond State Park for some pool and waterslide fun. We rounded off their visit with the first of two dreams come true for me this summer: a trip to the beach with my children and my nephews! Cape Henlopen State Park is our go-to beach in Delaware and the kids spent the entire day in the water. We left the beach quite rosy, but not before having some delicious Italian Water Ice from the snack bar at the Senator David B. McBride Beach Bathhouse. 

The following week, I returned to the Delaware Beach area to meet up with lifelong friends from Richmond, VA, who were vacationing in beautiful Lewes, DE. We tried our best to dodge the fat raindrops at the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, and ultimately did get soaking wet, but that did not dull our shine or our time at this charming oceanside area. The little ones rode the boardwalk rides while the teens hit the arcades and ate the ever-iconic Thrashers French Fries! We finished the evening with a huge group outing to the Dairy Queen on the Delaware Bay where we happily ate our ice cream under the awning in the rain!

Playcation:

We made multiple trips to our native State, New Jersey, which included a beautiful Sweet 16 party where we indulged in delicious food and danced the night away. We swam with friends at multiple houses, celebrated multiple birthdays, and even made a very special trip to New York City to see an incredible performance of Wicked on Broadway! We laughed, we cried, and we left the Gershwin Theater mesmerized by the infinite talent of the cast and crew! Wicked was fantastic and I highly recommend everyone see it! The Jersey trips also branched out into a two-night concert series in Philadelphia, PA, and Camden, NJ, where the 90s were alive and well and rockin’!! I even got to see my sister’s new apartment in North Jersey near the George Washington Bridge.

Vacation:

Another dream come true was realized when I hopped on a plane and flew out west to visit our lifelong friend who now lives in Flagstaff, AZ! I was picked up in balmy Phoenix where they suggest that the temperature is a “different kind of heat”. I can confirm that the kind of heat they are referring to is, in fact, sweltering and that 105 degrees at 8 pm takes some getting used to. After grabbing a late-night-to-me meal in Mountain Standard Time, we began the steep ascent to Flagstaff, which is 7,000 feet above sea level! Luckily, I slept most of the car ride up, which helped my altitude acclimation and prevented me from becoming car sick. After adjusting to the altitude by overhydrating and resting, we toured this endearing city filled with local artist shops, coffee and breakfast houses, and many tasty breweries! We even took pictures on the iconic Route 66 which runs right through Flagstaff.

We had an epic adventure at the Grand Canyon South Rim, where I took 537 pictures, none of which capture the true insanity of the beauty I was blessed to see with my own eyes. I was so fortunate to check off this bucket list item with native Arizonan friends who knew the ins and outs of the landscape and were able to point out which hop-on-hop-off bus stops would produce the most breathtaking views. By the time we left the Grand Canyon, my heart was overflowing with happiness and joy and I fully intend to return to this natural wonder of the world many times over in the future.

No trip up to “altitude” in Arizona would be complete without seeing the spectacular Red Rocks and extensive Native American artwork in Sedona, AZ. My friends tricked me and before I knew it, we were traveling down Arizona State Route 89A on the switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon. If you click the previous link, which shows the route on Google Maps, you will understand why a flatlander like me would be hesitant! Once we arrived in Sedona, we had a late lunch at Oak Creek Brewery in Tlaquepaque Village, which is a unique and historic shopping area, lined with beautiful landscapes, rock formations, serene fountains, native foliage, and spectacular art installations everywhere. We completed our night by watching the brilliant sunset from the cliffside of the Sedona Airport, but not before helping a frightened baby tarantula make its way back into the cliffside brush!

My last day in Arizona was spent traveling back down from Flagstaff to Phoenix for my flight home.  I watched the roadside landscapes definitively turn from towering pine trees to brush, to blooming Prickly Pear cacti, to mighty Saguaro cacti. Once we arrived in Phoenix, we visited the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), which has such an extensive collection and was so much fun, that the 2 ½ hours we spent there was not even remotely enough time to enjoy and soak in the entire experience. The two-floor state-of-the-art facility houses artifacts and collections of ancient and modern musical instruments from all areas of the world. There are installations with costumes, records, handwritten lyrics, and so much more, from many famous artists throughout time including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Prince, Taylor Swift, and so many more! There is even an interactive exhibit where you can play instruments similar to those on display at the museum. After my experience in the interactive exhibit, I have been inspired to learn how to play the harp! Without a doubt, I will 1,000% be returning for a second visit to the MIM on my next trip to Arizona!