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Vacation can be as close as your backyard
By WENDY MITCHELL
From rock climbing to a safari complete with a rhinoceros or two, family fun doesn't have to go further than a tank of gas for area residents.
Spending quality recreational time with family members and avoiding high fuel prices appears to mean keeping fun close to home and has coined the word "staycation," for stay near home vacations. For less than the cost of a plane ticket to a further destination, an entire family can travel to any of hundreds of convenient locations offering festivals, entertainment and family fun.
"By vacationing close to home, Kentuckians can take advantage of the beauty and adventure the Bluegrass State has to offer," said Gov. Steve Beshear while promoting the Kentucky Department of Tourism "Discover Your Own Back Yard" campaign. "Boating, hiking, golfing and horseback riding are just a few of the activities folks are enjoying within our state borders."
Setting up home-based recreation sites has also been keeping area retailers busy.
"We have seen a big increase in the sale of swimming pools and spas this year," said Karen Vonderhaar of Vonderhaar's Pools and Spas, on Kentucky 9 near Maysville.
Backyard recreation can be as easy as having a pool installed, she said.
"The favorite this year has been a 24-foot pool," Vonderhaar said.
Depending on amenities, style and site preparation needs, a pool can be installed in about a week, for $2,000- $5,000, she said.
Diving into summer can also mean erecting elaborate backyard play areas for children.
"We have seen a noticeable increase in sales of pools and pool chemicals, but also in the big wooden play sets," said Clifton Lewis, assistant manager of the hard line items at Wal-Mart in Maysville.
Keeping the play sets in stock has been a constant project, he said.
Other residents appear to be taking home entertainment indoors.
"We have seen a sharp spike in DVD equipment and movie sales," Lewis said.
With gas prices a hair from $4 per gallon, one item flying off the shelves caught Lewis by surprise.
"Gas cans. We have quadrupled gas can sales since the gas prices have gone up," he said.
At Lowe's, Operations Manager Carl Klaene attributes the sales volume of patio furniture and grills to the season, with minor input from gas prices.
"This is traditionally the time of year we get an increase in this type of sales; but gas prices haven't hurt the sales," he said.
While there is a slight increase in purchases of go-carts, what is really in demand are two-people peddle-powered boats, said Tractor Supply Manager Mark Ruark.
"They are about $600 and go out as quick as we get them in. I guess they use them on their own little lakes," he said.
Despite gas prices, Ruark said he told his wife they are taking a vacation this year.
"Maybe Gatlinburg; it is not too far," he said.
Not too far could mean a round trip on a tank of gas.
"One tank of gas trips have been bringing travelers to the French Quarter Inn (in downtown Maysville) for some time. They stop to see the flood wall murals and sometimes stay overnight," said Elizabeth Phillips, manager of hotel. "Or people are out traveling, they cross the bridge and get curious about the building and sometimes decide to stay. That has been an ongoing thing for us. I do think mini vacations and the gas prices will have a tremendous impact on summer travel this year."
Though focused on romantic getaways, the inn has several amenities and welcomes families. It also has an in-ground pool for guests to use, she said.
It is early in the season for solid statistics, others said.
Patronage of the state parks in Kentucky has been in line with past years, officials said.
Though Department of Fish and Wildlife officials reported lower boating numbers due to gas prices over the Memorial Day holiday, most park sites reported more than 80 percent occupancy in the lodges and campgrounds.
"In light of the news and concerns about gasoline prices and travel, I’m encouraged about the start of the tourist season," said Commerce Secretary Marcheta Sparrow.
For Kentucky activities go to www.mykentuckybackyard.com.
For Ohio activities go to www.travelohio.com.
For more area news, go to www.maysville-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 276.
Spending quality recreational time with family members and avoiding high fuel prices appears to mean keeping fun close to home and has coined the word "staycation," for stay near home vacations. For less than the cost of a plane ticket to a further destination, an entire family can travel to any of hundreds of convenient locations offering festivals, entertainment and family fun.
"By vacationing close to home, Kentuckians can take advantage of the beauty and adventure the Bluegrass State has to offer," said Gov. Steve Beshear while promoting the Kentucky Department of Tourism "Discover Your Own Back Yard" campaign. "Boating, hiking, golfing and horseback riding are just a few of the activities folks are enjoying within our state borders."
Setting up home-based recreation sites has also been keeping area retailers busy.
"We have seen a big increase in the sale of swimming pools and spas this year," said Karen Vonderhaar of Vonderhaar's Pools and Spas, on Kentucky 9 near Maysville.
Backyard recreation can be as easy as having a pool installed, she said.
"The favorite this year has been a 24-foot pool," Vonderhaar said.
Depending on amenities, style and site preparation needs, a pool can be installed in about a week, for $2,000- $5,000, she said.
Diving into summer can also mean erecting elaborate backyard play areas for children.
"We have seen a noticeable increase in sales of pools and pool chemicals, but also in the big wooden play sets," said Clifton Lewis, assistant manager of the hard line items at Wal-Mart in Maysville.
Keeping the play sets in stock has been a constant project, he said.
Other residents appear to be taking home entertainment indoors.
"We have seen a sharp spike in DVD equipment and movie sales," Lewis said.
With gas prices a hair from $4 per gallon, one item flying off the shelves caught Lewis by surprise.
"Gas cans. We have quadrupled gas can sales since the gas prices have gone up," he said.
At Lowe's, Operations Manager Carl Klaene attributes the sales volume of patio furniture and grills to the season, with minor input from gas prices.
"This is traditionally the time of year we get an increase in this type of sales; but gas prices haven't hurt the sales," he said.
While there is a slight increase in purchases of go-carts, what is really in demand are two-people peddle-powered boats, said Tractor Supply Manager Mark Ruark.
"They are about $600 and go out as quick as we get them in. I guess they use them on their own little lakes," he said.
Despite gas prices, Ruark said he told his wife they are taking a vacation this year.
"Maybe Gatlinburg; it is not too far," he said.
Not too far could mean a round trip on a tank of gas.
"One tank of gas trips have been bringing travelers to the French Quarter Inn (in downtown Maysville) for some time. They stop to see the flood wall murals and sometimes stay overnight," said Elizabeth Phillips, manager of hotel. "Or people are out traveling, they cross the bridge and get curious about the building and sometimes decide to stay. That has been an ongoing thing for us. I do think mini vacations and the gas prices will have a tremendous impact on summer travel this year."
Though focused on romantic getaways, the inn has several amenities and welcomes families. It also has an in-ground pool for guests to use, she said.
It is early in the season for solid statistics, others said.
Patronage of the state parks in Kentucky has been in line with past years, officials said.
Though Department of Fish and Wildlife officials reported lower boating numbers due to gas prices over the Memorial Day holiday, most park sites reported more than 80 percent occupancy in the lodges and campgrounds.
"In light of the news and concerns about gasoline prices and travel, I’m encouraged about the start of the tourist season," said Commerce Secretary Marcheta Sparrow.
For Kentucky activities go to www.mykentuckybackyard.com.
For Ohio activities go to www.travelohio.com.
For more area news, go to www.maysville-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 276.
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