Road trip! 10 close-to-home summer vacations in Washington

OK, so gas prices are galloping toward $4 a gallon. The only thing more painful than a long, out-of-state driving vacation this summer would be — all seats upright! — a flying vacation. (Security hassles! Three-ounce liquids! Tarmac camping! Canceled flights!)

So — the old reliable Washington vacation spots are looking pretty darn good. The places you went as a kid.Summer Guide knows where. Here's a list of 10 close-to-home getaways for your own (short) summer road trip.

Included: a reminder why you always went there; a tip on what's new; and ideas for where to stay, where to eat and how much you'll spend on gas — whether you're driving a tree-hugging hybrid or an asphalt-stomping SUV you just can't bear to part with.

The only thing left to decide is your driving music. Maybe, say, Mungo Jerry?:

In the summertime, when the weather is high,
You can stretch right up and touch the sky.
When the weather is fine
You got women, you got women on your mind.

(Watch a particularly groovy performance of this on YouTube.)

Great beat! But, umm, maybe not, if you're trying to make an impression on the kids; it's without a doubt the most un-PC song of all time ("Have a drink, have a drive..."). So what -- maybe:

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.

Not bad. But help us out here. Tell us your perfect summer road tune.

And tell us your own favorite close-to-home vacation destinations.

Then have a great summer.

— Brian J. Cantwell, Summer Guide editor

p.s. Remember to pack the sunblock! (Oh, never mind, it's Washington.)