Help me figure out what to do with myself

[MJ2.0]

X and I can each take 1 week during the summer to have DS, and he chose the week of July 12th. So that means I'll be completely childless for that week. I was thinking of taking that week off work to go some relaxing. Texted one of my girlfriends to see if she wanted to do something like go to OCMD that week, but she started a new job 3 months ago and doesn't really have time off yet. Called my mom and she's going away with a friend the week before. BFF is super pregnant so she's out. I really don't want to pass up the opportunity to get away, but I'd really like to have someone else there. But if I HAVE to go it alone (and on a budget), what are some things you'd suggest? I am briefly considering a YM road trip....

[haapai]

I suggest getting away, even if it means flipping a coin to decide which way to go as you pull out of the driveway. 

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2015 19:52:38 GMT -5 haapai said:

I suggest getting away, even if it means flipping a coin to decide which way to go as you pull out of the driveway. 

"Heads California, tails Carolina."

(On edge....Mexico.)

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2015 19:22:09 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

X and I can each take 1 week during the summer to have DS, and he chose the week of July 12th. So that means I'll be completely childless for that week. I was thinking of taking that week off work to go some relaxing. Texted one of my girlfriends to see if she wanted to do something like go to OCMD that week, but she started a new job 3 months ago and doesn't really have time off yet. Called my mom and she's going away with a friend the week before. BFF is super pregnant so she's out. I really don't want to pass up the opportunity to get away, but I'd really like to have someone else there. But if I HAVE to go it alone (and on a budget), what are some things you'd suggest? I am briefly considering a YM road trip....

road trip with minnesota paint to Yellowstone!!!! 

[wvugurl26]

Road trip!!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

If you take a week off then, will you still be able to take a week off when it's your turn to have DS for a whole week?

[MJ2.0]

Jun 9, 2015 20:20:11 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

If you take a week off then, will you still be able to take a week off when it's your turn to have DS for a whole week?

I don't have to take a week off work - it's just my week to have him uninterrupted. Right now we split the week. When I have my week "on" I'll take maybe 1-2 days off and do some day trips and a weekend trip.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Ah, okay. 

So, are there spending parameters for your week off?

[MJ2.0]

Need to keep it under $500

[simser]

Jun 9, 2015 20:40:09 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Need to keep it under $500

Oof. That's going to be nearly impossible if you're by yourself unless you go see family. Hotels tend to run 50-100 a night for cheap ones. Plus gas and food? Hmm.

[Opti]

Jun 9, 2015 19:22:09 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

X and I can each take 1 week during the summer to have DS, and he chose the week of July 12th. So that means I'll be completely childless for that week. I was thinking of taking that week off work to go some relaxing. Texted one of my girlfriends to see if she wanted to do something like go to OCMD that week, but she started a new job 3 months ago and doesn't really have time off yet. Called my mom and she's going away with a friend the week before. BFF is super pregnant so she's out. I really don't want to pass up the opportunity to get away, but I'd really like to have someone else there. But if I HAVE to go it alone (and on a budget), what are some things you'd suggest? I am briefly considering a YM road trip....

A week at a spa. Anything from Canyon Ranch to lower. Cape May. Road trip to friends, YM, family.

What's the budget?

You can take me. I'm in NJ too, but all I can offer is companionship. No funds. And I'd have to take off from my PT job too...  I'm available, just saying...  You can even do a day or a few hours with me. I've been many interesting places in NJ including Princeton, Lambertville, Frenchtown, points on the shore - Oooh Point Pleasant beach ... Philly, Camden aquarium... Ellis Island which I haven't done yet... rambles and goes to hydrate.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aw, I wish you could come here. No tourists in summer. Of course, it's blazing freaking bazillion percent humidity here.

Then, when we come to NJ in September, I could reciprocate by annoying you.

[Deleted]

These people did kind of interesting approach: lifehacker.com/my-great-american-staycation-how-a-weeklong-family-get-513161273

[The Captain]

I forget where you live exactly, but is a staycation feasible?

I do mini staycations when DH and DD do their roller coaster weekends.  There's stuff I like to do that they just don't get into (Morten Arboretum, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Art Institute) and treat myself to a nice lunch and maybe a pedi.

Now, as an introvert, I'm very comfortable just chillin by myself.  You mentioned your BFF is super pregnant but that doesn't mean she's dead.  She may enjoy a last hurrah before being bound to a newborn for awhile.  Anything you can do with her?  River boat cruizes?

[mrnewengland]

Camping/hiking can be inexpensive if you are into that kind of thing (and already have the equipment).  

[movingforward]

You could just stay home and give yourself a $500 shopping spree

[Chocolate Lover]

STAY HOME AND SLEEP LATE!!!!! 

[Sam_2.0]

Jun 10, 2015 14:54:26 GMT -5 movingforward said:

You could just stay home and give yourself a $500 shopping spree

$500 buys lots of wine and chocolate

[Chocolate Lover]

Oh, and enjoy your stuff being exactly where you left it because no one is messing with it. 

[Deleted]

I would do something like take the train into the city & wander around the Met one day, the MOMA another. I would enjoy pretzels & mustard from the cart vendors; and see what all the street 'deals' are. I have never been to the museum at FIT, but that would be interesting and it's free. Maybe hit the Bronx Zoo also, but that might be overrun with kids since school will be out. Maybe visit the garment district and buy yourself some stuff (although it sounds like the garment district has been made 'trendy' now, so maybe not so much fun as when I last went). 

If you live in a nice county, maybe day outings to the park to soak up some sun or sit under the trees. Where's the ice cream truck? Isn't that one of those childhood things you need to do at least once as a grown up? Menchies just isn't the same!

Do you windsurf or canoe or things like that where you can head to a lake & rent equipment and just hack around for the day?

[MarleyKeezy78]

Do you know anyone with a cabin somewhere? You could go and just have a quiet week, take a walk in nature, swim in a lake, get a massage and eat some good food and drink   
Sit on the beach with a glass of wine, some meditation music and just watch the clouds go by (I do that in our backyard). 

[Ryan]

I wouldn't really want to do a vacation on the cheap necessarily.  If it were me, I'd probably just treat myself to some stuff locally and relax.  

I don't have as much time off as my wife and every year they do an extra trip to my parents cabin while I stay home to work.  Even though I'm still working, it feels like a vacation because nobody else is here.  I go to work, I come home, and I sit on my deck and drink.  This is practically the only time of the year where I'll actually call people to catch-up.  

[MJ2.0]

I'm thinking of a staycation as well. There is a beautiful rustic studio on AirBnB about an hour from me that has one of those old tubs and is near hiking/biking trails... Definitely staying there one night. Other than that I'll probably pop over to PA/DE and see some family and friends and relax. Where are you guys oped?

[Deleted]

Right in center. Week of 12th son is in Harrisburg every day. Might take the train to Philly one day, go to Impressionist exhibit at Art Museum and Franklin to see Ghengis Khan..

[MJ2.0]

That's a great idea - I need to go to Philly. I miss Reading Market and South Street.

[Cookies Galore]

If you go to Philly visit Spruce Street Harbor Park. Skip South. The Penn Museum is awesome.

[Artemis Windsong]

If available in your area, some parks have basic cabins to rent.  Cook on a camp fire, heat with wood, bring your own bedding and food.  Usually very reasonable for a night or two. 

If that's not possible, some KOA campgrounds have cabins.

After what you have been through, some green time contemplating and mentally filing might help.

Second thought.  If you are in an area where you can snag a deep discounted cruise, I'd go for it. 

A staycation could be spent visiting every free museum and touristy attraction in your area.  I did that when I was helping a rellie recover from surgery, and the health nurse was in wanting privacy.

I'm sure you are too young for Elderhostels.  Not on the inexpensive side, though.

[MJ2.0]

Jun 10, 2015 20:53:26 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

If you go to Philly visit Spruce Street Harbor Park. Skip South. The Penn Museum is awesome.

Duly noted. Hey, maybe we can have lunch again!

[MJ2.0]

Jun 10, 2015 21:54:25 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

If available in your area, some parks have basic cabins to rent.  Cook on a camp fire, heat with wood, bring your own bedding and food.  Usually very reasonable for a night or two. 

If that's not possible, some KOA campgrounds have cabins.

After what you have been through, some green time contemplating and mentally filing might help.

Second thought.  If you are in an area where you can snag a deep discounted cruise, I'd go for it. 

A staycation could be spent visiting every free museum and touristy attraction in your area.  I did that when I was helping a rellie recover from surgery, and the health nurse was in wanting privacy.

I'm sure you are too young for Elderhostels.  Not on the inexpensive side, though.

I'm definitely planning to take at least one day to go to the beach. That studio is available all week but I think I'll only stay a night or two to keep costs down. I plan on doing lots of walking, reading, and lounging.

[Ryan]

Jun 10, 2015 22:00:46 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Jun 10, 2015 21:54:25 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

If available in your area, some parks have basic cabins to rent.  Cook on a camp fire, heat with wood, bring your own bedding and food.  Usually very reasonable for a night or two. 

If that's not possible, some KOA campgrounds have cabins.

After what you have been through, some green time contemplating and mentally filing might help.

Second thought.  If you are in an area where you can snag a deep discounted cruise, I'd go for it. 

A staycation could be spent visiting every free museum and touristy attraction in your area.  I did that when I was helping a rellie recover from surgery, and the health nurse was in wanting privacy.

I'm sure you are too young for Elderhostels.  Not on the inexpensive side, though.

I'm definitely planning to take at least one day to go to the beach. That studio is available all week but I think I'll only stay a night or two to keep costs down. I plan on doing lots of walking, reading, and lounging.

and drinking?