Staycation or Nocation...What Will it Be This Year?

I always told myself  I would take at least one international trip once a year for as long as I live.  Than the Coronavirus happened.  I live in Canada and while our situation did get fairly bad for a while, we seem to be flattening the curve.  My province wasn't doing so well for a while but in June, with the help of strict social distancing practices, we managed to get our cases down to almost zero.  My specific region only had a few cases but the regulations are the same across Nova Scotia.

For a while, it looked like I wouldn't even be able to go camping in the Cape Breton Highlands (only two hours from my house) due to the strict regulations were  in place.  However, in recent weeks, those regulations have loosened and now the four Atlantic Canadian provinces have allied together to create the Atlantic Bubble.  This means that residents of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia can travel between the four provinces without the need to self-isolate for 14 days after crossing borders.  This is good news for regional travel, not so much for those wishing to travel nationally or internationally.  I've come to terms with the reality that I won't be leaving this region anytime soon.  Most likely not even this year.  And that's fine with me. After all, I live on an island that has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world and the Maritime provinces of Canada have so much to offer in terms of scenery, culture and the great outdoors.  So instead of a no-cation this year, I'll be doing a staycation.  And honestly, it's seriously overdue.  I owe it to my own backyard to explore it more and take this opportunity to really immerse myself in the surroundings I tend to take for granted.

Many things have already opened up here and many more are due to open up in the coming weeks.  I don't have any grand plans for the summer but I plan to make the most out of it as much as possible.  Although the Atlantic Bubble would give me the opportunity to travel to the other three provinces, I plan to stay right here in Cape Breton and enjoy the summer close to home.  I'll save money, spend more time with friends and family and support locally-owned businesses.  At least one camping trip in the highlands, a day trip to Inverness and Margaree on the west coast of the island and some other day trips to closer beaches and attractions are definitely in store.  However, much of the summer will be spent right here in New Waterford where I'll spend my days catching up on some writing projects, biking to Low Point Lighthouse every morning and swimming in the refreshing waters of Dominion Beach.  If you really put your mind to it and get creative, the restrictions are really not all that bad.  Imagine the money you'll save!  When this is all over, you'll have double the amount in your travel fund if you plan accordingly.  And this will end.  And when it does, destinations around the world will be there anxiously waiting our return.  

So no matter where you are in the world, this is your opportunity to see your own backyard the way tourists do.  If strict lock downs aren't in place and things are open, get out and do what you can.  Visit local parks, admire the local scenery, visit the museums and most importantly, support local businesses because they are going to need all the help they can get to stay afloat and bounce back when this is all done.!