Every year I always take an entire week off for my birthday. I’m one of those people who love birthdays and a week’s vacation is the perfect way to celebrate. It helps that my birthday falls in May, a very nice time of year weather-wise! I am also a big fan of staycations, partly because of the expense of traveling (I’m very frugal) and because I have an elderly cat that I don’t like to leave alone for long. And, since I’m also a newcomer to Pittsburgh (and I live in the city), I spent the week doing a variety of fun touristy things:
Morning from Mount Washington (author’s photo)
- Scoped out the May Market
- Spent a few nights in a rustic state park cabin on the river hiking and relaxing
Clarion River (author’s photo)
- Enjoyed a Gateway Clipper sightseeing cruise
The Duchess approaches (author’s photo)
- Pampered myself with both a manicure and a pedicure
- Ate at my favorite restaurant and tried a new coffeehouse
- Read a pile of books in my backyard garden
- Indulged in long, meandering walks
- Took a ghost tour
- Visited my library branch
- Hiked, picnicked and read in yet another state park
As you can see, I didn’t have to leave the state (or spend a lot of money) to have a nice vacation. How about you? Have you ever taken a staycation? Try it sometime and be a tourist in your hometown.
~Maria, who is extremely well-rested
Eleventh Stack 