Sunday June 3rd, 2012 Staycations: More options than you think!

The term staycation is a relatively new term born from the financial crises and high gas prices over recent years forcing families to do more with less, and that includes spending holidays close to, or at home. Benefits of staycations include savings on lodging, travel, packing, and adds a boost to our local tourism industry. Just as with any vacation, staycations also require planning. For those of you considering one this summer, start with a visit to the Thunder Bay Public Library for ideas.
 
Northern Ontario: There's more to Northern Ontario than just rocks, trees and lakes is a helpful read to start with, and don’t forget The complete guide to outdoor photography before setting out. 

Are you interested in trekking to ghost towns? We live a short jaunt from the remnants of towns that met their demise for varying reasons, like Silver Islet, the old Pigeon River Outlaw Bridge, Jackfish, and Burchell Lake. One town I found of particular interest, Port Coldwell, west of Marathon was once the subject of famed Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris. These and other communities can be found in Ghost towns of Ontario:  A field guide, and Ontario's ghost towns and scenic backroads atlas. You can also learn more on the TBPL website, (www.tbpl.ca) featuring a link to Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History(found under the ‘Research’ tab on the main page). This is a virtual gallery of historical photos, books, drawings and artifacts contributed from libraries and museums throughout northwestern Ontario.

Our area offers a myriad of options for recreational activity besides the always popular camping and fishing. Boaters can explore our area from a different vantage point and plan a trip with the books Superior way: The cruising guide to Lake Superior,  Lighthouses of Lake Superior, and the publication Lake Superior Magazine. These resources advise on just about everything that is connected to our big lake from marinas, sites of interest and available services.  For those more adventurous and into diving, take a look at Shipwrecked:  Vessels that met tragedy on Northern Lake Superior, and Shipwreck guide to the Western half of Lake Superior and plan an adventure to explore areas seldom seen by others.
 
Back to land adventures, Thunder Bay Rcok: A Climbers Guide To Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Bouldering around Thunder Bay: A guide are written for people who enjoy vertical challenges and taking in a view from the top. For people more content to stay on the ground the Thunder Bay Nature Guide: A guide to natural spaces in the Thunder Bay Area, and the northern Minnesota based Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail are for those who want to explore nature off the beaten path. If you are interested in rocks of a different sort, rock hounds fascinated with local geology will find Agates of Lake Superior: Stunning varieties and how they are formed, the Lake Superior rock pickers guide, and Geology and scenery:  Rainy Lake and East to Lake Superior helpful to budding local prospectors.    

For traditional sightseers wanting views from the comfort of a vehicle, seeing the best of our great lake demands a look at the Lake Superior circle tour: Adventure guide. Finally, how many of us have driven non-stop on our way to Duluth and points beyond without taking any time to really look at what we are passing by? There is so much to do without driving far as shown in 61 gems on Highway 61: A guide to Minnesota's North Shore. This book takes a look at well-known attractions and best-kept secrets to have you busy for days without having to travel too far away from home.




Arlene Danyleyko