The BigView – StayCations
Greetings from Modesto!
By Chris Murphy Spring break is coming at the end of March. The kids will be out of school and while it is temping to go someplace crazy, there is fun to be had right here. Most importantly, turn off the TV and the video games and head outside. I love to travel and explore the planet and it is that same love of travel that makes me love to explore our very own community and the surrounding countryside. Our senior editor Ruben Porras has been showcasing many of some fun local journeys and these can be found at www.modestoview.com and they are really interesting. You can do the very same thing and some of the stuff you drive by everyday can be a really interesting journey.
When is the last time you have been to Knights Ferry? 4th Grade Salmon release field trip? It is time to check it out. Cheese factories, historic sites and natural wonders are all around. Have you ridden the rails of the trains in our foothills? It is terrible we are in a drought, but the low water has exposed a lot of history, old towns and structures. How about taking your camera and get on your bike and explore a different part of our county? If you have kids, go back to places where you took pictures when they were little and recreate them all grown up.
There are so many things to go see and do, and when you are there, snap some pics and tell your friends “Wish You Were Here!”. Here are a couple of great local tips from our ViewCrew for your spring break planning. Don’t forget, the most amazing event and activity calendar in our area can be found at www.modestoview.com.
Wish Your Were Here Contest stay·ca·tion – stāˈkāSHn/ noun: staycation; plural noun: staycations; noun: stay-cation; plural noun: stay-cations a vacation spent at home involving overnight stays and/or day trips to local attractions.
We know that there is so much talent in our area. How many of you take at least one selfie each day? Do you photo journal your life? Do you have Instagram? Well put your travel to good work when you are out and about and celebrate your March Stay-Cation. ModestoView, Brenden Theatres, Fuzio Restaurant and Central Valley TV will reward your photo talent if you tag your local travel pics #modestoview. On March 23, the ViewCrew will select 5 outstanding winners to receive a night out on the town with dinner for 2 at Fuzio and 2 tickets to a movie. Simply tag your travel pics #modestoview and we will do the rest. We will notify the winners with an Instagram post on March 23. Have fun and enjoy our community.
Kaye Osborn – PerformingView Stroll around Downtown visit the McHenry Mansion, McHenry Musuem, the Mistlin Art Gallery, visit the Graffiti Cruise Route kiosks, ride, jog, walk our bike paths!
Michael J Mangano – PhotoView I love grabbing my camera and taking a motorcycle ride on orange blossom road to Knights ferry, which is beautiful ride in the spring.
Efren Martinez – FitView Explore a different spot in Modesto each day on your bikes with the family. Doing so will put a whole new fun perspective on our downtown, city parks and neighborhoods.
Dana Johnson – ChefView A Dana~licious Modesto stay-cation would undoubtedly start with me checking into the Doubletree Hotel! I’d start the day in the hotel’s gym, take a dip in the pool, followed by a pulsating hot tub! Back to my suite for breakfast via room service! A bit of downtown shopping, surrounded by fine choices galore for lunch and dinner. Cocktails in the hotel, raising my glass with strangers that happened to visit Modesto, too! Book it now!
Eric Benson – JazzBluesView Spring break usually means getting a dog, cat and parrot sitter before making a break for Henry Cowell State Park 5 minutes out of Santa Cruz. It offers Redwood groves for hiking and camping then on to the back roads into town to shop and hit the beach Boardwalk. Then one nite at the Pasatiempo Inn with pool, dining and a hot shower before back to Modesto to enjoy the homefront, play in the garden and get trounced in tennis my my teenage daughter Caeli Benson
Ruben Porras – Famous View
I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again. Grab your cameras and head out on an adventure! The foothills are dotted with historic gold rush towns, Escalon has some beautiful old buildings and there are a million acres of gorgeous farmland to enjoy near Modesto.
Kate Serpa – BarView “This is too easy, people. A few drinks at Tresetti’s, then catch at matinee at the State, and get to the Minnie’s patio around sunset to down Mai Tais and Jerks until close. What bliss!”
Middagh Goodwin – MamaView It is nearly in our back yard and I am sure many readers don’t know about or have never been to Caswell Memorial State Park. Located near Ripon along the Stanislaus River this 250 plus acre park is great for a picnic, camping or rafting down the river. It is home to several endangered species including the riparian brush rabbit (which is not known to live anywhere else). Take the short drive and enjoy nature just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but a world apart.
Chris Murphy – PublisherView There is a nice developing network of bike and hike trails here in Modesto. They are conveniently connected by nice cafes and places to take a break. Try to run the whole loop and explore some places you haven’t seen. There is the Hetch Hetchy, Virginia Corridor and the Mensinger Trails that are all very different. They have easy start and stop points so you can take breaks and enjoy the scenery.
Earl Matthews – BluesView Day trip to Knight’s Ferry. Visit the comic book section in the library, they have these great collections Go see a live band!
Monica Barber – BargainView Stanislaus bike club has rides scheduled in the Modesto area for March with an introductory ride the first Saturday of the month starting at 8:20 am at the Trail Head parking lot (end of Coffee Rd) There’s Modesto Marathon mid month on the 22nd that’s reasonably cheap to enter & free to volunteer for fun & cheer. Queen Bean hosts both a Poetry night on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for $2 and an after hours comedy night on the 3rd Friday of the month for $2
Here are just a few other things that will make your spring break fun 1. Visit a different movie house (matinee) on every odd day of the week. 2. Take a tour of our historic Modesto locations & Cruise Route here in city. 3. Discover all the programs your County library offers. 4. Have a picnic lunch or dinner at a different city park every day. 5. Get reacquainted with the many shopping centers here in Modesto. (Roseburg Square, The Mall, Century Center, McHenry Village) You just might discover something new. 6. Explore Modesto with your digital camera and use your family as the models for your City photo shoot. 7. Have a block party potluck style and get reacquainted with your neighbors. The View Crew recommends hiring Quake Mobile DJ to blow it up. 8. Take a week long course to learn a new hobby such as cooking, sowing or even pole dancing. 9. The blossoms are out and take a drive and enjoy the color of our amazing orchards 10. Jump on Amtrak and enjoy the ride in either direction. Pick one.
