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You know my travel policy: Get in the car and go. Just do it, alone or with someone, or even with a carload of friends and family. There is much to see and do not far from home, and other than the gas prices messing with our budgets, most travel is uplifting and therapeutic.

Considering the increasing price of gas and the many possibilities within short driving range, this summer is the perfect time to hit the roads nearby.

One-day adventures into northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan may appear uninteresting to travelers who believe the first step is calling an airline. Yes, I have done all of the above many times, but lately I have been concentrating on homegrown sights that can be toured in one day, therefore eliminating overnight lodging.

Today I have some ideas for nearby excursions, but don’t let this short list stop you from finding other towns to visit, to shop, to have lunch or dinner — even breakfast for early risers. I would appreciate hearing about your finds.

An invitation from Bruce and Joan Hankins, former Perrysburg residents, was an opportunity to see comfortable retirement living at Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Village near Pemberville. I could never get that close to Pemberville without stopping downtown at Beeker’s General Store and the Riverbank Antique Market. Both are lazy afternoon places manned by friendly people. Did I need more vaseline glass? No, but it sure is pretty.

The Pemberville Opera House calendar will be full from Sept. 5 to May 1, 2010. In the meantime, Cruisin’ Nights featuring vintage cars are held the first Thursday of each summer month. A chicken barbecue and entertainment by the Night Owls, a Cleveland 1920s-style orchestra, will be July 25.

Count Elmore, Waterville, and Genoa as other short drive destinations.

Schedel Arboretum and Gardens in Elmore is a beautiful 17-acre landscape. It guarantees tranquility on tours by foot or golf cart past all matter of botanical treasures, including 15,000 annuals. Admission is $10 and it is closed Mondays.

Buying the work of local artists is the reason to head for Genoa and Waterville. Genoa is the location of Jan Pugh’s pottery studio and in Waterville, Garden Smiles is the retail store for Carruth sculptures. Jan Pugh’s, also known as Packer Creek Pottery, is open every day but Sunday. The tent event will be Aug. 7 and 8.

Other Waterville suggestions include the shops for browsers, and Chowder’s and Smedlap’s Smithy for dining.

No matter how many times you have seen Historic Sauder Village near Archbold, there is always something new and different to learn. Check the Web site, saudervillage.org, for events for the family.

My respect for farm life is strengthened by visiting the Barn restaurant at Sauder Village. Moving the giant barn into his pioneer village was a masterful undertaking by the late Erie Sauder. A tip for seniors: the Monday night buffet is $7.95.

Then it’s over the state line into Michigan for antiques, eating, and theater.

Blissfield, a short drive from the state line, has become a mecca for antique buffs, with several stores featuring things old that many of us remember and are sorry we got rid of. Emilio’s, a Mexican eatery, is sandwiched between two antique stores, and to make sure visitors don’t miss any of the three, the doors on either side of the restaurant open into the shops.

The Hathaway House, Blissfield’s well-known restaurant, offers a choice of elegant dining in the main house or a casual setting in the Stables. The free three-day River Raisin Festival, with food, rides, entertainment, and a beer tent will be the weekend of July 10.

Tecumseh is one of those small towns with interesting places, including the British Tea Room, in preserved vintage stores. The Tecumseh Center for the Arts offers outstanding live entertainment featuring local and national groups. Go online to keep up to date at www.thetca.org.

From Tecumseh, take M-50 to Hidden Lake Gardens, for picnics, hiking, and just appreciating the work of Michigan State University.

To forget Adrian would mean being drummed out of the hometown corps. Believe me the Croswell Opera House (croswell.org) is more than historic. It has great live theater and the downtown has several neat boutiques, but we are short on local restaurants.

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