Since the subject of tourism has been mentioned in the context of affordable necessary medical care, I thought I’d go ahead and mention some cool new developments in vacation tourism for those who may be thinking of what they’re going to do with the family this summer when the kids are out of school.
People who are living frugally don’t have to stop having fun and don’t have to stay home all the time. They just have to weigh their choices more carefully than people who have a lot of money to spend and don’t mind spending it. While it’s true that many of us consider a trip to visit family members in another state to be an actual vacation, but not necessarily because the people we’re visiting are all that fun and interesting. Usually it’s because the cost of gasoline, necessary vehicle upkeep, motels along the way and restaurant meals for the whole family for days or weeks at a time can easily eat up every cent of your vacation savings or tax refund, leaving zip for trips to Six Flags or ski resorts or Disney World – places our kids think of as actual vacations.
There’s a new partnership movement afoot in my state that takes great advantage of the many scenic, historic and educational wonders that make this state a tourist destination for millions of people every year. I strongly suspect there are many other states doing much the same thing, and the information’s not that hard to find. It’s called “Agritourism,” and it’s offering benefits to farmers, rural communities and artists of all varieties via partnerships with arts councils, agricultural extension services, state and federal parks services and small tourism operations in established tourist regions.
There is one such partnership in my already tourist-soaked state (North Carolina), where family farmers have lost their traditional cash crop (tobacco) and farm communities are struggling hard to stay afloat even while the ski resorts, mountain lodges and coastal attractions are doing pretty well. It’s called HomegrownHandmade, a partnership between the NC Agritourism Board, the NC Extension Service and the NC Arts Council. There are also some private and public grant agencies involved on the provider end, which allows the artists and farmers to get things going.
What they’re offering are “Art Roads and Farm Trails,” usually encompassing attractions and activities in 4-5 contiguous counties at a time that, judging from the descriptions, could easily keep a family busy and well-entertained for at least a week. Accommodations can be expensive over that length of time, but there are usually homey B&Bs listed in the towns along the way, and state parks along the routes as well where families can put their camping and nature skills to good use for not very much money. Tours at the offerings can cost between $5 and $10 per person (young children usually free), but that’s not so big an expenditure for a day’s worth of fun – and at the farms and wineries, that can include food and drink.
So far HomegrownHomemade has 16 Trails set up, information available on their website along with links to the listed attractions so you can easily plan ahead, while maintaining enough flexibility to really enjoy the time with your family and just kick back here and there.
With Trail names like “Pictures from the Piedmont,” “Scenes of the Sandhills,” “Crossroads, PatriArts and Native Ways,” and “Lights… Waves… Action!” (among others), you can pick and choose a Trail that appeals most to your family. But that’s just my state. I’m betting that there are similar partnerships in your state that would keep you closer to home, or in neighboring states.
Tennessee has some truly spectacular state parks that are often well-kept secrets to your average tourist, and like Kentucky, almost all the state parks boast fine and well-maintained golf courses. Rock climbing, rafting, canoeing, tubing, fishing, camping, hiking… people these days sometimes forget how much fun there is to be had just spending real quality time with those you love most, somewhere where the air is fresh, the water is cold, and the food always tastes great because it’s cooked over a fire.
Instead of sending the kids away to summer camp, why not send the whole family – including yourself? Go ahead and break out those old Boy Scout manuals and field guides, maybe pack a beloved book that’s not too long and which your children may not have read or heard. My grandchildren remember vividly a camping trip we went on over the Memorial Day weekend one year, where we adults took turns reading a few chapters by flashlight every night as they were settling into their sleeping bags. Everyone’s got a favorite. Could be Nancy Drew or a Hardy Boys mystery, good ol’ Huck and Tom stories, whatever. Wherever you are, there’s usually at least one book of stories about the region and/or its history, which you can pick up new or used. Get your fishing licenses and show the kids what it’s like to rustle up their own grub, maybe teach them how to bake cornbread in a covered cast iron pot buried in the campfire’s ashes.
Most state park campgrounds have camp stores open during the day, hot showers and well-lighted bathrooms as well as sites with electrical outlets even if you’re in a tent. If you make reservations ahead of time, you can ensure you’ve got the most convenient site and it won’t cost you extra. Camping equipment can be had for free or practically nothing through the Freecycle Network or Craigslist, or even your town’s SuperShopper-style classified weekly. Or borrow some! Three-room tents with screen porches, fine folding sling chairs, all the utensils you’ll need, sleeping bags and air mattresses, folding tables, even those big waterproof Tupperware storage tubs to pack things in. Don’t forget to pack playing cards and chips (the kids really do want to learn how to play poker, you know), dice, a board game or two that your family enjoys. And if you really want to splurge, see what the barter exchange rate is in your neighborhood for a nice pop-up camper trailer or motor home.
With a bit of foresight, some clever web-surfing and not that much money your family can enjoy a week or two of fine vacation time this year and not feel the least bit underprivileged about it! If readers have any good ideas of their own along this vein, do post them for us. Happy Trails!
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