A (Birthday!) Week of Staycation Plans

I took the week of my birthday off of work this year because... why not? It's not like we're going on any actual vacations this year, so I might as well take a week off for a staycation. I've had two weeks of furlough so far this summer, & each was incredibly relaxing, which inspired this plan - but it'll be much less stressful to have a paid week off.

That said, because there's not exactly much to do right now, I've been racking my brain to try to come up with some staycation plans & activities. Here's what I've come up with so far.

1. Go beach-combing. 

There are a couple new-to-me beach-combing spots I'd like to try out, after learning about them in various Facebook groups & from tips from friends. Mike even offered to join me!

2. Celebrate my birthday. 

I told Mike that all I want for my birthday is to eat a charcuterie board from Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. while watching Armageddon, so... party on, Wayne. Guess this is 36.

3. Explore Lake View Cemetery.

Since the last time we went to Lake View, I've learned that I have family (my dad's mom's parents) buried there. We're going to visit their graves - & go see the Haserot Angel again, of course.

4. Hike CVNP.

I've never spent much time in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which seems like a real oversight on my part. We have a national park right here! If it's not too hot, we're going to do some exploring.

5. Make (more) cookies.

I've been making The Girl Who Ate Everything's Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for a few weeks now, & I'd like to branch out into one of her other recipes. 

6. Ride to the Backstreet Boys.

I've been dying to do Peloton's 30-minute BSB ride, so I think this will be the week I make it happen. What better way to celebrate turning 36 than to... remember what it was like to be 12? Ha.

7. Read.

I've finally gotten back into the swing of reading! Now I'm working on The Herd, a thriller about the kidnapped founder of a women's coworking space, & Dreyer's English, a surprisingly hilarious nonfiction book about grammar. Yes, my tastes are varied.

8. Send postcards to voters.

I'm joining the Religion Action Center of Reform Judaism and Reclaim the Vote's partnership to mobilize low-propensity voters by sending postcard reminders. Just have to fill 'em out & mail them!

9. Watch a new-to-me movie.

Honestly, I almost never watch movies; I don't know why, exactly, they just rarely appeal to me. I'd rather rewatch SVU! HBO Max seems to have so many options, though, that I feel like I should give something a go. Any suggestions? 

What are you doing with your vacation days this year? What would be on your staycation to-do list?