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Right in Your Own Backyard

July 28th, 2022 by Kenneth Abrahams

Spring has come and gone. Graduations for the class of 2022 are a distant memory, 4th of July cookouts are in the rearview mirror, and Kohl’s, Staples, and others are already running those back to school adds. Summer may feel like it is almost over, but we still have plenty of warm nights and sunny days ahead of us. There are several weeks until we must face the reality of being back in the classroom, so let’s make the most of it.

Gas prices and ridiculous airfares, not to mention the fact that the airline industry is somewhat of a wreck right now, has made many of us either cancel or not book trips to go away this summer. That doesn’t mean that it needs to be a boring Summer.

Many of us don’t ever look to see what is in our own neighborhoods, cities, counties, states or within easy driving distance from our homes. Years ago, I went to college with a young woman from Beverly, Massachusetts, which is situated about 25 miles north of Boston. We were chatting one night and she said she had never been to the city. My jaw dropped and I was speechless. She lived less than an hour away from this incredible city and had never taken advantage of it. That was simply mind boggling. However, over the years I have done some extremely unscientific research and realized that many people don’t really explore what is close by. A line in a book I read recently summed it up ‘we are never tourists in our own hometown’.

That might be true for some, but not for all. Although, technically, I don’t live in the city of Boston, I do live just outside of it. If you want to go to the city, walk the Freedom Trail or simply look for a really good slice of pizza, I am your guy. Whether it is a walking tour or a ride on a Duck Boat, I love showing people the city of Boston. It has a rich history, incredible architecture, wonderful food, and distinct neighborhoods, all within a very walkable distance. Yes, I love Boston but trust me, wherever you live there are incredible things to do and see, as well.

Almost no matter where you live there is a National Park nearby. Here is a link to a list of 133 National Parks and monuments nationwide. You can even buy a Park Pass which gets you free or discounted admissions to a number of these parks. Some people may not realize that places like Alcatraz and many of the Civil War Battlefields are actually National Parks. https://usparkpass.com/list-of-national-parks/ Even without the Park Pass, many are free or very inexpensive.

Along with parks, a number of states have presidential birthplaces, museums or libraries that are amazing places to visit. If you are ever in Grand Rapids, Michigan, check out the Gerald R. Ford Museum.  It will give you a very different perspective on the man who was tasked with healing a nation following Watergate and the Richard Nixon resignation. Here is a link to all of the presidential libraries and museums. https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/visit

History not your thing but you love sports. There are many options available here as well. Major league baseball games are expensive and can be too long for families with small children.  There are so many options that provide a wonderful experience for adults and children alike. Many people have heard of the Cape Cod Baseball League but there are many other leagues around the country, which showcase some of the future stars of tomorrow. Minor league teams can also be found in just about every state in America and offer great entertainment at reasonable prices. Tennis courts and municipal pools are often open and available for little or no cost. There is a bit of a startup cost, but many Disc golf courses are springing up all over the place and it is free or very inexpensive to play them. You will need to invest some money to buy the discs themselves but after that it is smooth sailing, so to speak. Don’t forget there are free hiking trails all over the place and it is a great way to see Mother Natures incredible beauty.

Perhaps you are a bit of a foodie, there are all kinds of summer places to eat from burgers, gourmet or simple, to crab cakes, Ice Cream treats, hot dogs, lobster roles and SnoCones, to name a few. There is certainly no shortage of food items to satisfy any pallet. Don’t forget the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are out there as well. With longer, warmer days, it is a great time to fire up the grill or the smoker and try to cook things that you simply don’t have time for during the winter months.

As overwhelming as the internet can be, it does have a lot of information that can be helpful. Typing in simple phrases can return an avalanche of responses. Look up things like great places to hike near me or inexpensive summer activities in whatever town you live in. Check out Groupon as they often have deals for food and experiences. If you were going to try something new, why not save a few bucks.

Living in New England, near Boston, I am never at a loss to find things to do. Every July 4th we go on a Whale Watch and try to take in a WooSox or collegiate futures baseball game. We love checking out farmers markets or hitting local clam shakes. Sometimes, we sneak over to the local golf course to play 9 holes after work, before the sun goes down. Wherever you live take time to be a tourist in your home town. Enjoy the rest of your summer however you choose to spend it.

    

About the author

Ken Abrahams is CFO (Chief FUN Officer) for FUN enterprises. He is also an amateur BBQ non Pit Master and a decent amateur photographer.

To find out more about the company go to our website www.funent.com you can also go to this link to sign up for our newsletter which comes out about 6 times a year https://funent.com/subscribe-to-the-funny-pages/.  Our newsletter will tell you more about the company and the products and services we offer as well as some games, things to do and the occasional cooking tip.