Spring break close to home

Okay, I admit it. I envy those of you who will spend spring break (March 22-30) on a sunny island somewhere a tad closer to the equator. I really do. But what about the rest of us, who, for various reasons, are stuck in Columbia for part or all of spring break? Assuming Mother Nature is in a slightly better mood in a month, we can have some fun, too. Now's the time to make your local spring break plans.

Visitmo.com is a great place to start hatching ideas.

Here are a few possibilities:

• For some outdoor exposure, visit one of Missouri's beautiful state parks, float the Current River or go mountain biking in the Ozarks.
• St. Louis: There are plenty of things to do in the state's largest city, aside from going up in the Arch. Check out the Botanical Garden, the City Museum, art galleries, the zoo (free!) or riverboat casinos, to name a few.
• Tour Missouri's wineries.
• Branson: I admit I have not had a Branson vacation myself, but people do come from all around for the shows and attractions in that quirky southern Missouri city.

Of course you'll find many more ideas out there. There is fun to be had for the rest of us.