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 
I will try this year to take a stayvacation.. Oh, I forgot, I’m retired I’m on vacation all year round, just teasing. Thanks for some great insights.
Nice sounding vacation. Sometimes we look so forward to going away that we forget what our own areas have to offer us. Glad you enjoyed it so much!