November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
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You don’t need to travel 1,000 miles to have an enjoyable spring or summer vacation. Turn your pool and backyard into your own vacation spot and opt for a staycation instead. Get your family on board by creating a weekly itinerary and posting it in a prominent place in your home. Or create even more excitement by sending out invitations each evening as a hint of what’s to come the following day!
What’s a Staycation?
It’s a trend that’s grown in popularity in recent economic times. To save money, families relax at home or take day trips to nearby attractions in lieu of more expensive vacations. One common option for staycations is the use of the backyard pool. Here, we offer seven days of ideas to create an at-home poolside vacation for the whole family.
Monday: Instead of traveling to a far-off destination, bring that place to the backyard. Pick a spot you’d love to travel to—whether it’s Mexico, France or Thailand—and recreate the essence of that location at home. Study local dishes, drinks, music and culture, and serve it all up to your guests at a themed pool party. Invite your guests to wear authentic outfits, and decorate with the colors and images of the country.
Tuesday: Make your pool your personal water park. Instead of traveling to the nearest establishment, purchase blow-up floaties and foam noodles. You may even consider installing a slide, available in different shapes and sizes. (Installation, both self and professional, and maintenance vary depending on size and shape.) Nominate your group’s best swimmers to act as “lifeguards.” Your pool dealer will likely have several ideas and product suggestions, as well.
Wednesday: Spend a day in nature. Get your family outdoors for a bike ride or hike at a nearby forest preserve. Then return home for a poolside picnic lunch. End the day with a little pool area gardening. “Choose the Perfect Poolside Plants” will help you identify the perfect plants and flowers for your backyard.
Thursday: Nurturing bonds with family and friends is important, but time for your spouse or partner is equally as important. Hire a sitter and enjoy a backyard getaway for two. Share an outdoor candlelit dinner, and follow it up with evening swim or soak in the hot tub. If it’s still chilly, cozy up with a blanket and some hot drinks by the poolside to enjoy the soothing sounds of the water.
Friday: Plan a poolside family campout. Create your backyard campfire in a chiminea or small fire pit, and pitch a tent outside. Roast smores, star-gaze and tell stories around the fire. An added bonus: You can take a dip without all the seaweed and creepy crawlers a lake might have to offer.
Saturday: Host a neighborhood game day. Dive into the pool for a game of Marco Polo or water tag. You can also set up board games and card games around the pool, especially if you live in a colder climate.
Sunday: Use this seventh day as a time of rest, and create a spa experience at home. Have a loved one give you a poolside massage to relieve stress, apply a skin treatment or enjoy a foot soak as you lay beside the pool. If your pool is heated, or you own a spa, climb in for a long soak. Read “History of Aromatherapy” for more ideas to create a calming environment. What a relaxing end to your weeklong spring staycation!
