Summer Vacation

Usually, when I visit Sowing Stitches, I am inspired by the quilting works of art.  But this post inspired me to have a little fun this summer with DAY-cations.  Day-cations are mini-breaks that happen right where you are - a time each day that's there just to be enjoyed.  Examples might be sitting on a porch swing with a cool glass of lemonade and a good book, lunch with a friend, running through the sprinkler with your kids/grandkids, or a cup of tea and a sunset - whatever makes you laugh or relax or sigh with contentment.

Our daughter, Amanda, will have a three-bedroom apartment to herself this summer as the only roommate who isn't going home or graduating and moving on, and we had discussed getting together more frequently to help her fill some time/space (we are about two hours apart).  Combine that vague notion with the day-cation concept and you have a plan - a series of mother/daughter day-cations throughout the summer.  I've been net-surfing and brainstorming ideas for inexpensive, fun things we can do in a day, or even an afternoon.  Here's what we have so far:

Photo from www.k-state.edu

Hiking on the Konza Tallgrass Prairie - The Konza is a preserve of native tallgrass prairie just south of Manhattan, KS.  It includes 2, 4 and 6 mile hiking trails.  Beautiful place for a hike, picnic lunch or just some peace and quiet.

Art Day - Visit the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art on the campus of Kansas State University, the Manhattan Arts Center and the art displays at the Student Union - with a leisurely lunch between stops.  You can't have Art Day without - 

Craft Day - Each of us provides materials and instruction for a craft project that can be made in less than a day - meet at one house or the other - craft - repeat.

A matinee movie 

A Day at Brownville - Brownville, Nebraska is a town of 150 people that hosts a concert series of Broadway-caliber musicians and has a summer repertory theater.  Dave and I have season tickets for the concert series and hope to see all five theater productions, but we've never been there for the daytime options:  museums, galleries, shops, restored home tours and a tasting at a local winery.

And speaking of wine tastings, there are several other wineries in the area that may warrent a visit:  Wyldewood Cellars at Paxico,Kansas; the Oz Winery in Wamego, Kansas;  and Schillingbridge in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

In addition to these 1-day outings, every summer needs a few "stay-cations" - low-budget trips within a few hours of home.  Our son is four hours away and, since we can stay at his place for free, trips there only cost gas and food.  I can't see him getting excited to spend the day touring art galleries with Mom, but I did find some interesting things to do in his neck of the woods that might entice Dad and Son also:  

• The Wild West Festival on 4th of July weekend
• Historic Fort Hays (haven't been there since the kids were toddlers)
• Larks - semi-pro baseball
• "9 to 5: The Musical" performed by Heartland Community Theater
• Herzogfest - celebration of the area's German heritage
• One of our favorite spots - indoor, simulated golf.  It's a hoot!
• Outdoor golf
• Plus galleries, concerts . . .

What's on your vacation agenda for the summer?