Staycations - post your local getaways

[PA Girl]

During the dog days of summer, I thought it might be fun to start a thread for forumites to post pictures of great places close to home.

Sunday morning, we took a peak at the Weather Channel, left Saturday night's dishes in the sink, the laundry undone, and packed the trusty polarbear with leftover food and wine from our party the night before and hit the road for a day trip.

It was like we were the only people on earth -



We saw fish jumping out of the water and lots of birds
(not in this picture, sorry)

The creek is shallow enough this time of year for our nearly three year old to play, "catch" crayfish (he was not successful) and pick rocks.



Lots of wild flowers blooming. This red seems like the perfect height-of-summer color -




It was dark by the time we got home and all agreed it was a really great day.

[cass]

I too head for the water! It's either a night or two on the houseboat on the river, or fishing/camping at the lake.

Here's a few river shots.

[liamsaunt]

I don't have any pictures, but last Saturday John and I took the kids to the New England aquarium. I have not been in years! It has really improved since the last time I visited. There are tons more fish in the center tank than there used to be. I don’t know who had more fun IDing the various creatures, the grown ups or the kids! John and I were joking that we did not have to spend time on St. John seeking out the elusive fish species anymore because they were all right there in the tank! (kidding) The giant turtle is now about the size of a mack truck. They also have a new (to me, anyway) jellyfish exhibit. The kids also really enjoyed the temporary sharks and rays petting tank.

After the aquarium we went over and had an early dinner at Jasper White's Summer Shack. It was a fun day.

[liamsaunt]

I have another one...a couple of times each summer we go down to the Cape. Our favorite beach is in Dennis--it is called Howe Street beach.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/780311342/" title="006 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/780 ... bc94f6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="006"></a>


It is right next door to Corporation beach, but it is not crowded like Corporation. You have to get there before 10 AM or the small parking lot will be full. ($20 to park) The water is FREEZING but the kids don't mind. I can't get in past my knees--I'm spolied from St. John!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/780329288/" title="022 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/780 ... 85ec1c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="022"></a>

It is exit 8 off of route 3. That's about as far down as we can drive with the kids in the car or they get restless.

Lunch is always at Captain Frostys. They have really good fried clams:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/780118004/" title="074 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/780 ... 6af38c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="074"></a>

And the kids love their soft serve ice cream.

[Chet]

We ride bikes to the local fireworks, Folk Life Festival, Georgetown, museums, film at E-Street Cinema and over to Gordon Biersch for some frosty home-brew.



The shack is rented for the summer so we stay with friends when in Rehoboth Beach.

(CG - this clown's for you!)

[pjayer]

Several weeks ago, we visited Woodford Reserve distillery. It's a beautiful setting in the heart of the bluegrass. There's a small museum, a nice gift shop, and a patio that serves lunch. If you're ever in the area, give us a shout.


Woodford Reserve Distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky.




Fermentation in cypress tanks. Mmmmmm...smell the mash!




Distilled in copper pot stills from Rothes, Scotland.




White-oak barrels filled with bourbon on the way to the warehouse.



Bourbon aging in warehouse.



The finished product.


They have an interesting website, too. www.woodfordreserve.com

[mbw1024]

oh gosh Charlie would love it there!

[California Girl]

This thread is a great idea! I'll try to put something together when I get home from work today.

Thanks for the clown Chet.....NOT!

[jmq]

[Teddy Salad]

Great idea PA Girl!

We have some property about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Denver in northwestern Colorado so we go there a lot in the summer and fall.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22826825@N05/2282173449/" title="Summer by TeddySalad, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/228 ... e1830b.jpg" width="500" height="383" alt="Summer"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22826825@N05/2284188513/" title="Looking east toward Big Marvine by TeddySalad, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/228 ... cd0e94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Looking east toward Big Marvine"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22826825@N05/2284197561/" title="Coal Creek in autumn by TeddySalad, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/228 ... 1b38de.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Coal Creek in autumn"></a>

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[Kathyzhere]

Hey Liamsaunt, just wanted to reply that Dennis is my hometown... born & raised.

Love and prefer the North side beaches as well!
Our last home was a rental on 6A in Brewster...but our last home owned on the Cape was not even a mile from Cap'n Frosty's in Yarmouthport.

Boy, those clams look yummilicious!!

Thanks for sharing some shots of home cuz I do miss it.

Enjoy,
Kathy

[Kathyzhere]

Teddysalad,
Those pictures are beautiful
and so peacful looking. You're
lucky to have such surroundings!

Enjoy,
Kathy

[Lex]

We've had a couple of nice trips this summer. First to Cape Cod:

Nauset Beach in Orleans

Then to Avalon on the Jersey shore:


We'll get back to Cape Cod again before summer's end.

[RickG]

We're headed out this morning for out annual homebrew beer fest/campout - 24 kegs of commercial beer, 100+ kegs of homebrew and 200 people on top of the mountain with Tom Principato playing. Only 150 miles in the Ford Explorer! Pictures soon come.

Cheers, RickG