As the summer season sizzles in, family road trips are underway post pandemic in Pittsburgh! The fact is that "Porch-ville" may be the number one vacation destination which isn't a real destination at all. "Porch-ville" is not taking a road trip but it's just kind of chillin' at home, at least that's what we used to call it before the dawn of a new form of rest and relaxation, enter the "Staycation," not to be confused with a "Naycation" which is literally not travelling at all.
"Staycations" have become very popular and sound a little more dignified than telling people that you are just headed to "Porch-ville" which makes you think of the old "Hee Haw" television show. If you are old enough to know the show then you are old enough to have at some point told somebody somewhere that you were headed to "Porch-ville".
It's now hip to say "Oh I'm just taking a 'staycation' this year." It entered the vernacular of our culture pre-pandemic and makes more sense now. People are traveling a lot less last year but willing to go to places closer to home now.
There is a very important difference in "Porch-ville" and "Staycations." "Porch-ville" is basically being stationary at home and "Staycation" can include some short road trips to nearby places. This is also excellent because it helps us to appreciate our hometown. Western Pennsylvania is a terrific place to live, work and play. Believe it or not our region brings in around $5.4 billion annually in tourist trade and $3 billion of that was brought into Allegheny County alone during a typical year. So why not help the local economy while you're helping yourself to a "Stay-nearby-vacation-an-aht".
Have a plan when the family asks "What are we going to do this summer?" Announce with confidence that we are taking a "Staycation." After the initial moaning and groaning that will inevitably follow, reiterate that you are serious and you want their input. "Yeah right, Dad." I suggest logging on to www.VisitPittsburgh.com! These folks spent a lot of time assembling everything you could possibly need to make fun choices. You might take a calendar and sit with the crew at the kitchen table and let each member select a day trip that they find on the website. You will engage the family, maybe even communicate and set-up you own unique plan.
I still remember my family's trip driving to Pymatuning. There, my three brothers, along with mom and dad visited the lake, rented a pontoon boat and ventured out for the day. (My sister Nancy wasn't born then. She always says I never mention her.) We ended up staying in a Route 19 long defunct roadside motel called the "Ro-Ho-Cho".
It's remained one of the most memorable trips we ever took, maybe because we only went on one other trip to Cook's Forest. After mom passed away 13 years ago my sister gave us boys some photos long forgotten from that trip that I didn't know existed. I look at them every day as I get ready for work. They remind me of the simple pleasures of a "Staycation" long before we knew what to call it!