This summer may be the perfect time for local folks to take an exciting vacation in… Donley County!
High gas prices and tight family budgets across the nation have many people looking for alternatives to the traditional summer vacation by looking for activities close to home, and Donley County and the surrounding area offer plenty of opportunities for families to have fun without breaking the bank.
“Stay-cations” became popular between 2007 and 2010, and the term refers to individuals or families relaxing at home or taking day trips to local attractions instead of traveling great distances and spending large sums on extended vacations. The term became so common that it was added to the Merriam –Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2009.
Staycationers create the feel of a traditional vacation by avoiding their usual routines and spending quality time at local parks, museums, and other attractions that local folks may not visit every day.
Clarendon’s Saints’ Roost Celebration next week – July 4, 6, and 7 – is one obvious opportunity for all kinds of family activities right here at home, but there are even more nearby places to take your staycation this summer that you may not have thought about.
Get out of the house for a night or two and book a room at the Best Western Red River Inn to enjoy a relaxing time with excellent accommodations. In addition to the indoor pool and spa, the Red River Inn offers Jacuzzi suites for private in-room relaxation, and breakfast is a snap with the complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. Pet friendly rooms are available, and the hotel also has its own exercise facility. Call 874-0160 for more information.
While you’re out for a night or two, be sure to visit one of the most unique entertainment experiences in the area by taking in a movie at the Sandell Drive-In. Showing the latest Hollywood attractions with its new digital projection system, the Sandell also boasts having the best hamburger in town at its concession stand, so make it a night under the stars in your car and have a blast! Check the Enterprise each week for the coming weekend attractions.
If you want a uniquely Western experience for your staycation, spend some time at the Bar H Dude Ranch three miles west of Clarendon. Go for an afternoon of horseback riding or an evening meal or take a couple of days and stay in one of the Bar H’s family bunkhouses for the complete experience. It’s all good clean fun, and a great way to experience Clarendon’s cowboy heritage. Call 874-2634 for reservations.
Close to home but far from stress is a relaxing stay at the Wedding Ranch southeast of Clarendon. In addition to being a great location for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and reunions, the Wedding Ranch is also a great place just to go relax for an evening at the Honeymoon Cottage. Take a dip in the hot tub and admire the tranquility of the scenic countryside. To find out more about enjoying the amenities of the Wedding Ranch, give them a call at 874-0136.
A rustic ranch house and nearly a hundred years of family history await visitors to the Finch Ranch Lodge south of Hedley. This beautiful West Texas bed and breakfast is the perfect place to get away from it all for a night or a weekend. Rest, relax, and enjoy bird watching, backpacking, and hiking in one of the most pleasing locations in Donley County. You’ll be glad you discovered this hidden gem. For more information, call 856-5930.
And if you just want to get out of town for a day with the kids, it’s hard to beat a trip to Wonderland Amusement Park in Amarillo. Rides for kids of all ages, putt putt golf, and all kinds of “fair food” await thrill-seekers at the end of a short drive into the city. For more information, call 383-0832.
Details and information about all of these staycation possibilities are available on the back page of this week’s Enterprise. And there are plenty of other enjoyable activities right in our own backyard this summer. Read the Enterprise each week to keep up with events coming your way.
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