With gas prices at a record high, airlines resorting to surcharges for everything from luggage to in-flight beverages and train travel becoming increasingly congested and expensive, some county residents are deciding to stay closer to home for their summer fun, while discovering all the cool stuff there is to do right here in the county. And, with a little digging, you can even find fun summer stuff to do for free.
"The idea of vacationing is to spend time with your family, rather than worrying about how much you've spent," says Joyce Rodgers, describing her family brood of six - husband Jeff, sons Joshua, 13, and Jonathan, 11, along with daughters, Katherine, 7, and Caroline, 6 - plus their dog, Abby Normal.
The family admits they're struggling through tough economic times - including making the decision to go without air conditioning this summer to save $700 - but still find creative ways to squeak out some good old-fashioned summer fun. Free movies at the local cinema, visits to the pool at Pocahontas State Park and trips to local, affordable family restaurants - with the kids understanding that water is the only drink on the menu - help the Rodgers family enjoy summer fun while sticking to their tight budget.
After foregoing their pool membership to save money, the family recently took a trip to the James River. "We were hot, and so we said, 'Let's go jump in the river for free!' I feel more real at the James River where families like mine are all in the same place - without money - all sorts of people. Taking it all in, you feel more a part of the global community. Summertime family vacations should be about your family, rather than living up to someone else's expectations like some glossy magazine picture," says Rodgers.
Husband Jeff agrees that you don't have to spend a lot of money or even travel far to forge closer relationships with your family while on vacation. Reflecting on a recent low-cost family camping trip to Bear Creek Lake, he said, "Time is the most valuable thing you can give someone, and I really feel like my son, Josh, and I got closer while camping - without all of the distractions you have at a place like Disney World, with kids running off in different directions. We enjoyed better quality time this way."
How to vacation at home
There's no place like home for affordable resources for families. Chesterfield County boasts some of the most beautiful parks in the state, as well as historical sites, a vast library system featuring 194,000 book titles and 7,700 movie titles on DVD, and other recreational opportunities.
As summer hits the halfway point, here is a sampling of "stay-cationing" options right here in the county.
Pocahontas State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc
The campground has 129 electric and water hookups, centrally-located restrooms with hot showers, grills, picnic tables and lantern holders. There are also six cabins. Pocahontas' Pool and Aquatic Recreation Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily through Labor Day. The park offers five miles of hiking trails around Beaver Lake, a five mile bicycle trail and a trail accessible for persons with disabilities. In addition, numerous trails accessible to hikers and bicyclists wind through the surrounding woodlands. There are approximately nine miles of bridle trails. The park also has single-track bicycle trails. Guided nature hikes, campfire programs and children's activities are regularly offered. The Chesterfield Observer includes many of these activities in its weekly calendar.
Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation
www.chesterfield.gov
Chesterfield County has more than 30 public parks, featuring nearly 3,000 acres of green space, sports facilities, historical landmarks and more. For a complete listing of what's available, visit the Web site above. Below is a sampling:
Henricus Historical Park
The site of the second permanent English settlement in the New World. 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester. Hours of operation: Tuesday Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Details: 706-1340 or www.henricus.org
The Lagoon Water Trail
Have your own canoe or kayak and want to paddle the Lagoon Water Trail? Then load your boat and head down to the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Staff will meet paddlers in the Henricus parking lot, then escort them to the peninsula launch site. Paddlers will need to provide their own boats and paddling gear. Trail maps and basic orientation will be available. Paddlers can only enter/exit the launch site at the designated times and dates. For more information, call 706-9690.
Chesterfield County Fair
County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. August 22-31. Details: www.chesterfieldcountyfair.org
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Join historical researcher and speaker Michael Schoenenberger as he presents an engaging discussion on the impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Chesterfield County Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop. Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-noon. Details: www.chesterfieldhistory.com
Period Cooking of the Founding Fathers
Join historical writer Robert Pelton and learn about recipes enjoyed by historic figures from the Colonial era to leaders of the American Civil War. Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Road. Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-noon. Details: www.chesterfieldhistory.com
Chesterfield County Public Library
library.chesterfield.gov
The summer reading program is under way at most county libraries, providing free activities for all ages. For a complete listing of programs, visit the Web site above. A sampling of programs includes:
Healthy Choices
Magician Rob Westcott combines magic, puppetry, storytelling and audience interaction in a fun, fast-paced adventure that explores healthy choices kids can make about nutrition and exercise. For all ages. Registration is required and starts Aug. 4. Program dates: Aug. 18, 11 a.m., Enon Library; Aug. 18, 2 and 4 p.m., Chester Library; Aug. 19, 10:30 a.m. and noon, Clover Hill Library; Aug. 19, 3:30 p.m., Ettrick-Matoaca Library; Aug. 20, 10:30 a.m. and noon, Bon Air Library; Aug. 20, 3 and 7 p.m., LaPrade Library; Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m. and noon, Midlothian Library; and Aug. 21, 3 and 4:30 p.m., Central Library.
Anime and Manga Workshop
Japanese manga and graphic novels are hot! Forrest Young will teach a fun and informative class on "sequential art," as it appears in comic books, graphic novels, manga and anime. A portion of the class is a hands-on lesson, and you will see how easy it is to draw like your favorite illustrator. For teens. Registration is required and now open. Program dates: Aug. 2, 11 a.m.-noon, Enon Library; Aug. 9, 1-2 p.m., LaPrade Library; and Aug. 9, 3-4 p.m., Clover Hill Library.
Chesterfield Historical Society
www.chesterfieldhistory.com
Touring the county's many historical sites is an inexpensive way to spend a day. Following are a few choices for county tourists:
Chesterfield Museum
The Chesterfield Museum is a reproduction of the colonial courthouse of 1750. Its collections tell the history of Chesterfield County from prehistoric times through the 20th century. Exhibits include early Indian culture, artifacts from the first iron and coal mines in America, which were in Chesterfield County, early household and farming tools, a country store of the late 19th century, and fire department memorabilia.
Makeover Magic
A beauty transformation starts with good skincare and makeup. Teens will learn to look their best during this makeover program featuring professionals from Clinique or Mary Kay. Program dates: Aug. 8, 3-4 p.m., Chester Library; Aug. 18, 7-8 p.m., Bon Air Library; and Aug. 27, 2-3 p.m., Central Library.
Old Jail
The Old Jail was built in 1892 and remained in use for 70 years. Displayed downstairs are historical exhibits from the county's police and fire departments. Upstairs, original ironbarred cells show the jail as it was when it housed its last prisoners in 1962.
Magnolia Grange
Magnolia Grange, located at 10020 Iron Bridge Road, is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other activities
The county is also home to local movie chains offering free kids' movies this summer, and fun places to enjoy some mini-golf, bowling and yes, even ice skating at a rink open all year round. Eating out isn't even off-limits since some neighborhood restaurants offer deals where kids eat free on certain nights. With so much to do right here at home, there are plenty of ways to help you make special summer memories - while saving some of your hard-earned cash.
Check out more stories in this edition of the Chesterfield Observer, now a weekly publication.