A few weeks ago, we were looking for something to do with our family. It was the weekend and we were "all dressed up with nowhere to go." In the nick of time, my friend Jim Dier called and invited us over -- not for the day or night, but for the weekend -- a multiple-family sleepover. Grilling, drinkies, kid-friendly activities, movies and a "corn hole" tournament (hey, clean it up ... I'm talking about the bag toss game) were all a part of the fun at "Camp Dier."

The big picture, of course, was that we didn't have to travel far (Richfield-Colgate area), we didn't have to lay out for a hotel room, and yet we all felt like we were on vacation. Janet felt relaxed on someone else's deck having a Bloody Mary, and I went undefeated in the tourney.

With this silly economy and gas price hell, more and more folks are opting for the "staycation" over their typical vacation.

And staying close to home, with the right attitude, can be as adventurous or relaxing as a trip to Colorado or Europe. Sure, a healthy amount of "Tom Sawyer" imagination is required, but once you've suspended disbelief, the fresh perspective and "I'm not from here" fun is yours to enjoy. From backyard BBQs to local spas to day trips, the possibilities are wide open to see yourself and your surroundings in a new light.

And what better place to have this problem than right here?

Milwaukee, and Wisconsin itself, is the best backyard in the Midwest. Our diversity, originality and resources have been seducing Chicagoans for well over a century. Map it out and you'll find everything at your fingertips. World-class art and architecture, lakes, historical sites, culinary tours and even the "Waterpark Capital of the World" are all fewer than two hours from another hot spot: Miller Park.

The playground is open and the nation's financial problems are no match for our enthusiasm and opportunities to let our hair down. I suppose being from Omaha has given me an eternal sense of vacation just living in Wisconsin, but I'm feeling it, homies.

And sure, "staycations" have always been around and we've all done a few, but now that we have a clever marketing term with some "buzz" behind it, don't you want to take one right now? Come on. My car. Let's go!