By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Summer months mean fun in the sun, lazy days in the shade and vacations.
This season is most popular when planning a family getaway, mainly because children are out of school and there are more outdoor activities to do in the steamy months.
Most people around here aren't resorting to tropical destinations, though. In fact, a lot of travelers never leave the state and enjoy everything the Great Lakes have to offer.
"We go to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes every year," Courtney Stueber said.
"It's in Mears and we camp, ride jet skis, drive our truck through the dunes and swim. But this year I think we may go to Mackinac Island for a few days as well," she added.
Stueber said she and her husband, Tim, enjoy the dunes because it's a relaxing getaway, but they also enjoy their annual weekend trip to Buchanan.
"Redbud. It's our mini vacation and we really have a blast."
Patricia Ramsden, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Buchanan, said she uses her week of vacation to relax.
"I always take the week after Vacation Bible School off because it takes me about that long to recover," she said with a laugh. "But I am going to Salt Lake City, Utah for one week of continuing education, so that drive will be very nice."
Cedarville in the Upper Peninsula is where 10-year-old Anika Antisdel heads.
"We go there every year and it's a lot of fun. We will be there again this year and we also are going to a waterpark and I can't wait," Antisdel said.
Matt Phillips and his family usually head to Michigan Adventure in Muskegon, but said he isn't sure he will even take a vacation this year.
"I just want to fish, play baseball and have fun," Phillips, who plays at Thomas Stadium in the Greater Niles League, said.
Though palm trees and ocean breezes would be nice, most say they would rather stay closer to home.
"A tropical place would be nice for anyone, but it's a lot of money and we have fun just staying closer to home and don't spend nearly as much as we would if we went somewhere far away. Plus, this lets us take more than just one vacation a year," Stueber added.
Anita Rogers and her daughter Mamie said their family enjoys traveling all over, but their favorite destination is the Smoky Mountains.
"Last year we went to Dollywood and stayed in a cabin in the mountains. We'll probably plan another trip there in the fall," Rogers said.