With rising gas prices, the option to stay and play rather than drive hundreds of kilometres for a vacation is becoming an appealing alternative for area residents.

A relaxing and informative hike along the escarpment, overlooking Eugenia Falls and the magnificent Beaver Valley, provided the perfect launching dock for the 2008 Getaway to Grey Campaign last Thursday.

What better way to celebrate Grey County and encourage tourism than to spend the day enjoying some of the best hiking and scenery the area has to offer?

The Grey County Tourism Committee have worked to inform locals and visitors of the abundance of activities and vacation possibilities in Grey County and collected it all in a convenient pocket guide and magazine.

Jack Morgan, a Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club member in charge of land securement and trail development, led the group of novice and experienced hikers around the Eugenia Falls side trail loop, a small section of the new 30-km Falling Water Trail to be officially opened on the Labour Day weekend this year.

After the short hike, the campaign launched with some of the county's most prominent promoters ready to encourage the world to experience our hidden gem. "It's the world we're entertaining now," says Grey County Warden Kevin Eccles.

"Sometimes I feel a little guilty having this just for ourselves. We should let the rest of the world enjoy it with us."

The Getaway to Grey pocket guide is designed to take local adventurers and active visitors to the top outdoor adventure destinations in Grey County for the second year, including suggestions on where to bike, hike, drive, cave, rock climb and swim.

The Municipality of Meaford is highlighted for its spectacular beaches, trail systems, unbeatable lookouts and scenic Bighead River. The celebration of Meaford's 100-year history is noted as a point of interest, as are Beautiful Joe Park, the Meaford International Film Festival and the big fall weekend when the town is invaded by scarecrows and apples.

The Town of the Blue Mountains boasts mountain biking, the striking Beaver Valley, canoeing and kayaking on the Beaver River and recreation at its peak in and around the Village at Blue Mountain.

Chair of Grey County Tourism Philip Allanson biked to the launch from his country residence in the Beaver Valley. He himself takes every opportunity to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle and encourages fellow locals to do the same.

"Our objective is to encourage the people of Grey County to come out and enjoy," he says. "We also want to bring people in from outside Grey County to eat at our restaurants, canoe our lakes, hike our trails."

Bryan Plumstead, Tourism Manager for Grey County, says that encouraging tourists to choose Grey County for their outdoor adventures will have enormous economic benefits for our indoor attractions as well and will benefit the downtowns and businesses of each community.

The Campaign includes "My Perfect Getaway to Grey Photo Contest," which is separated into four categories: activity and adventure, nature and wildlife, community and events and agriculture and food.  

The grand prize, The Ultimate Grey County Getaway for Four, is valued at $5,000 and includes five nights accommodation at The Westin Trillium House at Blue Mountain, an Eco Adventure Tour at Scenic Caves, mountain bike rentals, meals at the area's best restaurants, a digital camera and a hiking package.

The winning photo will also be published in Canadian Geographic.

"Bring on the world," says Eccles, "because we're ready for them."