Vacations

Summer is traditionally when most people take their big vacation of the year. I was reading on MSNBC today that travel this summer is expected to be flat if not a little down from last year. Airfares are up 10% from last summer due to fuel costs and shrinking airline profit margins. Plus, Americans still don't feel good about the economy and job security. Many people don't travel if they have these doubts. From the article on MSNBC:

"Travel is about security," said John Larson, Vice President for IHS Global Insight. "If you feel less secure about your future, you may be less willing to take (a) trip."

The article goes on to say that people who were considering flying somewhere for their summer vacation, may now elect to take a shorter distance trip with their car. Memorial Day weekend is a popular time to take car trips.

Fortunately, we live in an area that offers lots of great day trip destinations. The Olympic peninsula, the ocean beaches, the San Juan islands, Yakima Valley wine country, Portland, and Vancouver B.C. are just a few great suggestions for destinations you can reach by car in a day from Seattle.

Whatever your plans are, have a great vacation!

Will Johnson

[photo by Humbert15/Flickr.com]