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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | OCTOBER 2021 7 By Clare Mendez, Resident As we cautiously head out on vacation this year, many of us are finding it rather expensive and inconvenient to do so. Planes are packed, masks mandatory, and many flights have recently been canceled. Fuel prices have skyrocketed and rental cars are extremely expensive. Although we are allowed to travel, you may want to consider a "staycation." On your staycation you can enjoy our local area while stimulating our local economy and bring back jobs to our local towns and the state of California. Close by we have shops to inspect, parks to stroll through, gardens to be admired, sand to walk along and local mountains to climb. By choice or by necessity we are coming to appreciate that there are so many choices for entertainment in our immediate area. Idyllwild is a scenic drive up Route 74, through Thomas Mountain. There you will find hiking trails, quaint shops, and refreshing air. A trip to a beach town (and we have several to choose from) allows for people watching while you dip your toes in the sands of the Pacific Ocean. Museums and botanical gardens are open to admirers, and, of course there is always Temecula for wine tasting or hot air ballooning. Why not use the money you saved on far away travel in the form of massages, manicures, pedicures, and dining out? Again, stimulating our local economy. Were you planning on sitting somewhere and reading a book? Just step outside or utilize the padded outdoor furniture behind The Lodge. That's a perfect spot to meet up with some neighbors too. I'm certainly not advocating all future travel plans be abandoned. Travel will always have its place when you are knocking items off your bucket list. For now, though, it's safe to say, vacationing at home sounds appealing. Staycations are cheaper and easier to plan. If your plans change, it's usually a matter of just picking up the phone and rescheduling a reservation. And, with fewer emissions, they are better for our health and the planet. STAYCATIONS