Cedar Crest	UPDATED: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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Take a ‘staycation’ this fall

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008

By Joel Keller
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

It seems like one of the biggest buzzwords of 2008 is “staycation.” You’ve probably heard it several times since the New Year, and you’re probably wondering what it means.

According to a survey conducted by Access America, a travel insurance company, the number of people traveling this past summer was expected to be down 7% from 2007 levels. Of the people who still planned to travel, 24% said they decided to stay close to home. Those people are taking what is known as a staycation, a vacation spent either at home or close to home. Whether a day trip or an overnight stay, the key is to have a good time while keeping expenses low.

Fortunately, there are a number of places within a short drive that can provide a memorable experience, whether you want something relaxing, educational, exciting, or a little bit of everything. Here are three nearby destinations:

History close to home
Did you know that New Jersey has only one National Historical Park? Fortunately, that park is less than 20 miles south of Cedar Crest. The Morristown National Historical Park consists of multiple sites, all used by George Washington and his troops during the Revolutionary War in the winters of 1777 and 1779–80.

Just blocks from downtown Morristown is the park’s centerpiece: Ford Mansion, a Georgian mansion where Washington made his headquarters during those winters. Information-rich guided tours of the home are provided at multiple times during the day. In addition, the site contains a newly renovated museum that houses furniture from the mansion, as well as colonial-era weapons, armor, documents, and other artifacts. There are also rotating exhibits culled from the park’s massive archives.

In addition to the Ford Mansion, there is Fort Nonsense, in Morristown, and Jockey Hollow, in Bernardsville, where Washington’s troops camped during the bitter winter of 1779–80. Replicas of soldiers’ cabins are on-site, as well as the Wick House and a visitors’ center. And the setting, especially during the fall months, is pretty and bucolic.

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For more information, go to www.nps.gov/morr.

Relaxation in the mountains
Among the lush rolling hills and peaceful small towns of the northwest New Jersey mountains is a massive resort that will cater to whatever method you use to relax, whether it’s a facial, a round of golf, or a refreshing swim.

Crystal Springs Resort spans two towns—Vernon and Hamburg—in Sussex County. On the property are two hotels: The family-oriented Minerals Resort and Spa and the brand-new, four-star Grand Cascades Lodge. Both hotels provide well-appointed accommodations and access to two-day spas at the resort, which offer massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures, along with an extensive menu of other services.

If you’d rather just play golf, no problem—the resort has not one, not two, but seven public courses in the surrounding area. The courses have been recognized by both Golf Digest and Golfweek magazines as some of the best public courses in the state, and all of the courses provide challenges to duffers of all ages and skills.

Both hotels at the resort offer package deals that include either spa treatments or a round of golf. They also have a “Wine Gourmet” package, which includes a seven-course wine-pairing dinner at Latour restaurant, which earned Wine Spectator magazine’s Grand Award for wine selection and service.

For more information, go to www.crystalgolfresort.com.

Modern sculpture in a garden setting
If you’ve ever driven down I-295 near Trenton, you may have seen this odd sight: A huge red-and-blue sculpture depicting a side view of two faces. If you’ve wondered why it was there, then wonder no longer; it means you’re not far from the Grounds for Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture garden and museum that resides on the site of the former New Jersey state fairgrounds, in Hamilton.

The site was the vision of J. Seward Johnson, a sculptor and philanthropist who is the grandson of Johnson & Johnson founder Robert Wood Johnson. It contains a permanent outdoor collection of modern works, some that are on the scale of the Head 2 Head sculpture seen on I-295. The museum displays exhibitions that change seasonally. It’s set in a peaceful and inviting garden and arboretum.

On the sculpture garden’s grounds is Rat’s Restaurant, one of the top-rated restaurants in the state. Other dining options are available as well.

For more information, go to www.groundsforsculpture.org.