Problem: 1. Different kinds of visitors coming to Salem or through Salem at various times of the year, and with a vast range of interests and obsessions.
Problem 2: Writing for audience as a professional writer has made me unwilling to offer the same Salem run-through to every visitor.
Solution: A visit to Travel Salem’s new High Street location, where I picked up four-inch stack of travel guides and promotional material from vineyards, gardens, restaurants, shopping areas, historic sites and parks.
Yes, if ever there were doubt that the staycation is something that can be had pleasurably in and around Salem, then the materials offered at Travel Salem’s new digs should pretty much put those doubts to rest.
I finally made it there today after a long lunch with my friend Jan and her kids at the Original Pancake house (pretty tasty, but they should really check out CHOW.com’s feature video: BACON! You’re doing it all wrong!). It’s a pretty sexy little information stand, a major improvement over the temporary location at the Mission Mill Museum.
We’ve had quite a few visitors to Salem over the past few months, but none of them fall into the categories put forth by the Travel Salem folks — culture seeker, adventurer, gourmand, naturalist, relaxer.
So here’s what I’m going to do. With each new visitor, I’ll put together a little itinerary of must-see activities based on their personalities and foibles and post them here.
The first group featured will be Jeff and Foy, Adam’s twin brother and his wife who just returned from their two-year stint in the Peace Corps in a tiny village in Panama. Needless to say, I imagine that they will be the most chill and undemanding guests we will ever have the pleasure to host.
No hot water for 26 months will do that to you.
She’s a trained horticulturalist and do-it-your-selfer who didn’t wear a pair of pants until she was in college. He’s an illustrator with a knack for blunt criticism and a stomach that knows no borders.
They will be here for two and a half weeks! Check back in to see if I weather this hostess challenge with aplomb and grace.
