[Southsider2k12]

http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/168279...on-726s.article

Enyoying your 'staycation' in NWI
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July 26, 2009
BY KAREN CAFFARINI, Post-Tribune correspondent

Whether you've been furloughed, laid off or just counting your pennies, chances are your vacation has transformed into a staycation -- stay-at-home vacation.

Just because you aren't flying off to Disney World doesn't mean your whole family can't have fun.
» Click to enlarge image
A visit to the new Chesterton Skate Park will interest the kids if you're planning a "staycation" this year.
(Michael McArdle/Post-Tribune)


Ethan Ewing, editor of bills.com, a San Mateo, Calif.-based Web site that provides financial issues information and comparison shopping for products and services, says with planning and budgeting, a week packed with local activities can make everyone in the household happy.

With sandy beaches, water parks, antique shops, tourist attractions and a major city all within an hour's drive, region residents should find plenty to do without breaking the bank.

Start with a daily budget two weeks ahead of time, and stick to that budget.

"Remember, the goal is cheap, cheap, cheap," Ewing said.

Fill the days with activities and save the nights for relaxation.

"The worst situation would be for you to sit on the couch and watch the tube the whole time," Ewing said.

So unplug (don't even peek at your e-mails), unwind (no chores!) and venture out into Northwest Indiana. Here are some suggestions for each day of the week. Do some, mix a few up, or create your own agenda.

1. Be a local tourist. Ruth Keefover, of the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission, suggests visiting the lush grounds at Taltree Arboretum and enjoying an inexpensive lunch off the pork pattie wagon at Birky Family Farm near Kouts and seeing a play at one of the local theaters.

In Lake County, visit the John Dillinger exhibit at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority in Hammond, followed by a visit to the old Sheriffs' House in Crown Point where the notorious bank robber escaped and a blockbuster movie starring Johnny Depp was partially filmed. Top off the day by seeing the movie, "Public Enemies," at a local theater.

You can also tour the Albanese Candy Factory in Hobart, makers of gummi bears and reported home of the world's largest chocolate waterfall, the the 1/2-mile-long Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John and, if you gather a group of relatives and friends, tour the Challenger Learning Center across from Purdue University Calumet in Hammond.

2. To the beach. Who needs Florida beaches when Northwest Indiana is home to a national lakeshore that spans miles? Travel along U.S. 12 and stop at various locations. Spend a day on the beach, climb Mt. Baldy, go the Indiana Dunes Visitors Center, hike along the trails, enjoying the sand between your toes. Keefover suggests making a stop at the new Portage Lakefront River Walk. "It's very popular," she said.

3. Explore your parks. Porter and Lake counties are flush with parks that offer something for everyone. According to the Lake County Parks Department Web site, you can rent a paddle boat at Lemon Lake County Park in Crown Point at $5 per half hour, enjoy miles of hiking trails through wooden terrain at several different parks and sign up the kids for nature-themed classes at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Awareness Center in Hammond. Porter County has movies in various parks and summer camp at Sunset Hill Park. Lake County Parks runs Deep River Waterpark and Porter County has privately run Splashdown Dunes, as well.

4. For the sports enthusiast. Walk, jog or ride your bike on one of Northwest Indiana's many bike trails. Enjoy a game of tennis on a neighborhood court, take the kids to a city-run skateboard park, play miniature golf or practice your golf swing at the driving range of Zao Island in Valparaiso, Keefover said. Try something new, like disc golf at Lemon Lake Park, or get the neighbors involved in a game of volleyball in your back yard or sandlot baseball. Baseball enthusiasts can take a free tour of the Hoosier Bat Factory in Valparaiso -- call (800) 228-3787 -- where Keefover said you watch a bat go from a piece of wood to a bat that may be used in the Major Leagues. For a low-cost night of baseball, catch the RailCats at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

5. Down on the farm. Take a tour of Fair Oaks Farm off Interstate 65 near Rennselaer, where kids can climb a 24-foot milk bottle, ride the Moo train, tour the farm and enjoy freshly-made ice cream and cheese. Enjoy blueberry picking at one of several farms in the DeMotte and LaPorte areas, and select the freshest fruits and vegetables at local farmers' markets. See a living farm in action at Buckley Farm in Lowell. At home, try making blueberry pies and muffins or sprinkle some on your ice cream from Fair Oaks.

6. Be crafty. A week off with nowhere planned gives adults time to pursue new hobbies: create a scrapbook with all the pictures long stuffed in a drawer, join a genealogy class or book discussion club at a local library, take a winemaking class at Remus Farms in Hobart. Libraries and parks offer myriad craft classes for the kids, or you can be crafty at home. Buy a pair of cheap flip flops and embellish them with beads, big, bright flowers and other accessories. Tie-dye an old T-shirt or turn a plain purse into a sparkly one.

7. Get away for a day. If your family just has to get away for at least a day, you can take a one-hour ride on the South Shore train into Chicago, or a drive to Michigan City, southwestern Michigan or Indiana Beach. Take advantage of free Thursday nights (5-8 p.m.) at some Chicago museums, walk along the lakefront and Chicago River, enjoy the free activities at Millenium Park, rent a bike at Navy Pier for $10 an hour or $30 for a full day. Daredevils can be among the first to try the glass boxes extending 4.3 feet from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). It costs $17.45 for adult and $13 for children ages 3-11. Shop at the Lighthouse Premium Outlets Mall, picnic at Washington Park, see the animals at Washington Zoo and enjoy dinner and a mug of beer at Shoreline Brewpub in Michigan City. Michigan has blueberry farms, wineries, beaches and plenty of tourist shops.

8. Stay at home for a day. If money is really tight, pitch a tent in the back yard, get a telescope and look at the stars at night. Cook hot dogs and smores over a fire and tell scary stories. If it begins to rain, or the kids get too scared, their comfortable beds are a few feet away. Play badminton, horseshoes, bean-bag toss or croquet in the yard. Read a typical beach book while sipping iced tea and relaxing in a chaise lounge. Order out -- Chinese cuisine one day, Mexican another, etc. Stay out of the kitchen as much as possible.

[taxthedeer]

Spend a day on the beach, climb Mt. Baldy

Nobody's been able to "climb" Mt. Baldy for the last couple of seasons, only hike around it.

[Michelle]

I thought you could still climb it, just not from the southern side. I haven't gone this year, but last year there was a trail up the western side of the dune to the summit.

[Southsider2k12]

I thought you could still climb it, just not from the southern side. I haven't gone this year, but last year there was a trail up the western side of the dune to the summit.

You can also still climb up from the lakeside.