Every decade seems to coin new words that help define the times, and a new one to us is “staycation,” which means saving money and fuel by staying close to home on vacation.
It seems to us that this is an excellent area in which to live for those planning a “staycation.” There is no shortage of great places in which to spend a few days just a few miles from home.
We can fish at Greenbo, Grayson, Cave Run, Dewey, Yatesville and Paintsville lakes or in the Ohio River without ever leaving northeastern Kentucky. We can explore the caves and hike the excellent trails at Carter Cave, see some excellent shows at Jenny Wiley State Park and now Greenbo, swim, camp, stay in some nice lodges and cabins, dine of some great food or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors. You can spend a few days or just drive a few miles for a one-day adventure.
Such vacations may not be as exciting as going to Disney World or visiting the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park, but they still can provide fun and memorable vacations while saving families a lot of money.
In fact, we think this corner of Kentucky should be actively promoting “staycations.” While we lack the destination attractions found in other parts of the country, this is a beautiful area in which to spend a few days, especially for those who enjoy the great outdoors. With more people than ever looking to save money on vacation, a trip to Natural Bridge State Park could be a good alternative to a journey to the Great Smoky Mountains.
According to an Associated Press story, the Hamilton County, Ohio, Parks Department is attracting more visitors to its parks than ever by actively promoting “staycations.” Cabins and campgrounds are full in the county that includes Cincinnati, and 80 percent of the campers are local residents.
That’s also the way it is in campgrounds in northeastern Kentucky — and the recession is making them more attractive for families considering a “staycation.”
Editorials
'Staycations' — 06/20/09
Recession may actually help area parks, other attractions
- Editorials
-
-
Charles Chattin
Before it merged with Ashland Community College to form Ashland Community and Technical College as a result of the 1997 Higher Education Reform Act, the Ashland Area Vocational-Technical School compiled an impressive record for teaching job skills to young adults and placing more than 85 percent in jobs for which they were trained.
-
Try again
It is time for Kentucky Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, to cease playing political games and redraw district lines that are compact and are based far more on population changes during the first decade of this century than on partisan politics.
-
'Asset poor'
More than one in four Kentucky households are “asset poor,” meaning that they are living from paycheck to paycheck with little or no financial cushion to fall back on should they suddenly lose their jobs or have another emergency resulting in a temporary loss of or delcine in income.
-
Safer mines
The head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) says coal operators throughout the country are improving their operations and, as a result, mines are becoming safer. However, MSHA chief Joe Main said too many coal operators still “don’t get it” and are continuing to cut costs by ignoring safety. That’s why MSHA plans to continue targeting mines with a history of repeated violations for additional inspections.
-
Not far enough
For the past three sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly, bills that would raise the minimum dropout age from 16 to 18 have been approved by the Kentucky House of Representatives by wide bipartisan margins only to die in the Senate without even a vote.
Now the Senate Education Committee has unanimously approved a dropout bill hailed as an alternative to the House bill, but it does not go nearly far enough. It is a halfway measure that would have only a limited effect on preventing teenagers from quitting high school before graduation and virtually assuring themselves of lives on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.
-
Not their job
The local government committee of the Kentucky House of Representatives has wisely killed a bill — dubbed “Cooper’s Law” — that would have allowed the family of the Lexington toddler with cerebral palsy to have a playhouse on their property despite a deed restriction that apparently prohibits such structures.
-
Keeping FADE
Despite an increase in cost to the department, Carter County Sheriff Casey Brammell told the Carter County Fiscal Court that his department will continue to be active in the FIVCO Area Development Drug Enforcement (FADE) Task Force — at least for now.
-
Needed changes
The soaring enrollment that Kentucky’s community and technical colleges have experienced in recent years could come to a sudden end — or at least be slowed — as about 5,500 students in the statewide system that includes Ashalnd Community and Technical College are expected to lose their financial aid under new rules being implemented by the federal government.
-
Released early
While it is disappointing that 75 of the 952 prisoners granted early release in January have violated the terms of their releases, the good news is that none of the former inmates have been charged with new felonies. That’s an early, but positive, indication that the nonviolent felons released before their sentences were up have been carefully selected and are among those least likely to return to a life of crime.
-
Obese children
Almost a decade after former Gov. Ernie Fletcher called childhood obesity an “epidemic” in Kentucky, a majority of Kentucky adults still think that there are too many overweight children in the state and they place the bulk of the blame squarely on the shoulders of their parents.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Charles Chattin
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
