Hot Fun in the Summertime

End of the spring and here she comes back
Hi Hi Hi Hi there
Them summer days, those summer days
That's when I had most of my fun, back
high high high high there
Them summer days, those summer days
-Sly & The Family Stone

I love the summer and was disheartened to hear that due to the weak economy, some are scrapping their usual plans for a July-August break. According to a new survey commissioned by Access America, a travel insurance company, only 33 percent of Americans plan to take a summer trip this year, compared with 40 percent last year. The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, also found that of those who do plan a trip, almost half are planning a lower cost trip by eating out less, spending fewer days away or staying closer to home.

Considering that US workers have the smallest number of vacation days of any industrialized nation in the world, we have to take what little time we have to re-charge our depleted batteries. That said, we all know that piling into the car and driving anywhere is going to cost a pretty penny this summer. According to AAA, the cost of gasoline is up to $3.80 per gallon for regular and $4.173 for premium. You don’t have to go far for those kinds of numbers to add up quickly.

So what’s a beleaguered consumer to do—forego hot fun in the summertime? Absolutely not! There are ways that we can all enjoy vacations that are more local in nature without breaking the bank. The first thing to do is head to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of a guide book about your city/state. You probably have not been to have of the tourist attractions that are within spitting distance of your home. I always marveled at the number of people that I knew in Providence, Rhode Island, who had not seen the basic “Top 10” sites in Boston, not to mention the vast number of New Yorkers who have never been to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty. If driving is a drag, consider the train or the bus and of feel free to touch base with your old college pal who lives in one of these places to see if a visit may be possible.

I know that there are cultural riches in your backyard that while are not Europe, are certainly memorable and wonderful in their own ways. I beg you to take your vacation time and sample the beauty and wonder of the wonderful place where you live this summer.