'Staycation' may be the ticket this summer

Here are some vacation tips I can relate to: Volvo Cars of North America this week issued a press release about how to have fun and relaxation on just a quarter tank of gas.

Since that's all the gas many of us can afford at one time these days, I read on. Seems lots of families are thinking about swapping pricey vacations for "staycations." That's a fancy make-believe word for finding something to do in your own backyard.

In the Flathead, it's easy to lose sight of how absolutely fabulous this place is because we have the pleasure of seeing it day after day. Travelers from around the world make the Flathead and Glacier National Park a destination vacation every year, but there probably are a good many of us who haven't been to the top of Big Mountain in awhile or have taken a tour through The Museum at Central School.

Have you ever seen the incredible mousetrap collection at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson? Did you know there's an agate shop in Bigfork?

Every year before summer is upon us, the Inter Lake news staff spends time to track down all the information that goes into our "101 Things to Do in the Flathead" summer guide. After a million details are compiled, I get to read all of the stories and put the pages together. It's an annual reminder of just how much there is to do here.

A quarter-tank of gas won't get most of us up the North Fork and back, but it will bring us to the nearest swimming hole or museum. If you don't have a copy of "101 Things…" you can find them at most tourist stops, information centers, chambers of commerce or the Inter Lake office. If you're serious about having a "staycation," this is a good place to start.

As for Volvo's suggestions, they're actually pretty good, so I'm including them as food for thought:

. Stay at a nearby hotel for a night. Use the money you're saving by forgoing airfare, and treat the family to a night or two in a local hotel. Look for hotels with attractions you can drive to during the day such as water parks, pools, malls or golf courses.

. Create your own historic tour. Pack up your car with some bag lunches and discover local history. Contact your local historical society or chamber of commerce, and sign up for a historical tour or chart out your own self-driven tour.

. Get lost in a museum. Instead of getting lost on the Interstate this summer, drive to a local museum and wander through at your own pace. Take time you might not normally spend in town to explore your city's treasures within a 30-minute driving radius. It's a great way to learn about your kids' interests, too.

. Enjoy nature at a county, state or national park. Whether doing a day hike or a weeklong camping trip, some of the best family memories are made on the trail. Get an atlas or state map and drive out to the nearest park.

. Try new restaurants. Just as you would in a new city or country, test out local restaurants and types of food you've never experienced before. Some of the best vacation memories are spent while sampling new cuisine. You might just discover your new favorite dining spot close to home.

. Set up camp. It never quite feels like a family vacation when waking up in your own home. Finish off your drive around the city by teaching your kids camping basics. Try finding a campground near your city and take the kids camping for a night or two. Or, set up a tent in the backyard and tell ghost stories, eat marshmallows and stargaze.

Some people only get to the Flathead and Glacier Park once or twice in a lifetime. We wake up here every morning. Let's not forget how priceless that is.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com