Channel 3, WCAX News in Vermont, calls vacationers who stay close to home "staycationers." More RVers are choosing to staycation because of fuel prices.
It makes sense. We did a trip to the Four Corners, a day's drive away, and saw places that have been on my "list" for years. Often you can have just as much fun and see interesting sights within a few days drive of your homebase or where you spent the winter.
The article mentions RVers who find a park in an area they like and then leave their RV there all summer. For families, this can be a cost effective way to vacation and spend weekends. If the park has a pool and maybe a game room, that will keep most kids happy.
Staying in one place longer also can add depth to your experience of that area if you get out and explore. Instead of hitting only the highlights, you can hike and see less accessible areas too. Taking along a picnic lunch makes the outting an adventure and saves money.
According to the article, RV sales are even up at some dealers as people figure out an inexpensive RV and staying local is cheaper than vactioning at Disney World or other popular destinations. We know full-time RVers who are traveling long distances to destinations and some that are not. A couple of RV friends are going to Alaska this year; next year fuel prices may be even higher and then they'll wish they would have gone this year. Our friend Annise has wintered in Tucson the last two years. Last year she traveled in the summer to the Northwest. This year she'll stay in Prescott, AZ in the mountains - a much shorter trip.
What are your plans for the summer? Are they affected by fuel prices? Will you venture far this summer or are you a staycationer? Jaimie
Hmmmm.... WCAX, eh? That's a local channel here in the Adirondack Mt. area of northern NY, just across Lake Champlain from Burlington, VT. So I hope some of those "staycationers" come over on the ferry and then drive less than 50 miles to the heart of the High Peaks and see some of the beauty. Also Lake Placid, home of the '32 and '80 Winter Olympics is here in the Adirondacks. Come visit everyone! a lot to do without driving a lot of miles.
Posted by: Cedar | May 29, 2008 at 03:21 AM
I agree that high fuel prices are an opportunity to question some of our assumptions, and break some bad habits. It almost takes a shock at the gas pump to get most of us to do that.
If it fit my situation better, I would consider putting a small motorcycle on the rear bumper, and use it for trips to town instead of a V8 gas hog.
Posted by: rv-boondocker-explorer | May 31, 2008 at 06:54 AM