Here, there and everywhere

With less than a week to go until the official start of summer, many people are eyeing ways to get away from the bustle of daily life and take some time to relax.

While some of us might be planning trips to other parts of the province, the country, or even abroad, perhaps we could also be looking closer to home for some summertime fun. Dare the Georgian call 2010 the summer of the stay-cation?

Well, it's generally easier on the pocketbook and cuts down on travel time, too, if we think about what we can do in the Bay St. George area.

Events like the St. George's Blueberry Festival, Stephenville Theatre Festival, Une Longue Veillée and Une Journée dans l'Passé on the Port au Port peninsula, and the Bay St. George Mi'kmaq Powwow in Flat Bay are events known throughout the province and elsewhere. Why not check them out and mingle both with visitors and other locals? You'll also likely learn something new about the dynamic culture of the area.

There are several beaches throughout the region, so perhaps a trip to a sandy part of Bay St. George and then another trip to another beach is a way to keep the view refreshed.

There are plenty of sights to check out along the way. The Lourdes Grotto is one. The Sunset Trail is another. The alpacas in Felix Cove are always fun to watch or interact with, and the animals have popped up elsewhere in the area - so keep a look-out for the relatively unusual animals when driving along the area's roadways.

As well, there are plenty of parks and green areas in the region. Pick one or two that you haven't seen and make a day-trip out of it, taking a picnic lunch to make the most of it.

Too much driving? Spend the night in one of the area's many hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or at a campsite. It's always fun to have somebody else make the bed and cook you breakfast.

Of course, just sitting on the back patio or heading to the cabin remain simple, yet excellent options for the summer. Nothing beats spending time with family and friends - whether enjoying a beverage, roasting hotdogs on a fire, or sitting in a cluster of collapsible chairs.

And there's an added benefit to a stay-cation. Besides saving travel time and money, it's a great way to help support the local economy. You might spend a bit during the summer, but it's always better to keep those funds in the local coffers.

There's plenty to see and do this summer in the Bay St. George area. Get out there and enjoy it all.