Staycation

A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation,or staykation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. (Thanks wikipedia!) We joined millions of others this summer who are taking a staycation to try and beat the economy blues but not totally lose the idea of a vacation.

Lancaster County is a vacation destination in itself, but its our backyard so we don't go exploring as much as the tourists. We take the road side vegetable stands, and Amish scenery for advantage. Until today, I had never been to the Strasburg Rail Road. It is a historic train that has been restored and offers daily trips through the heartland of Amish country. We met up with a friend from church who works there and got a behind the scenes tour of the rail road repair station and lots of history about the trains. Then we took a trip on board the parlor car and enjoyed the narration about Strasburg, farm land, and lemonade. Dad even broke out his rail road hat from his first visit when he was 2 years old! As we pulled back into the station, everyone waiting to board for the next trip was waving. It looked exactly like it does in the old movies. Did you know Abraham Lincoln road on this train on his inaugural trip in 1861? If you are an avid Jon and Kate plus 8 viewer .... you will know this is where they went to see Thomas the Tank Engine.

No trip to the local attractions would be complete with out a glimpse of the Amish people! I am almost 25 years old, born and raised in Lancaster County, and this is my first picture of me in a horse and buggy! There are plenty of other staycations that we could do, and I might have to look into them because today was so much fun!