Keepin’ it Green this vacation season...
6-01-08

As I write this I passed a milestone. Not one to which I’m particularly proud. Driving to work along Ridge Pike just off the Blue Route ( I call it my backdoor way into Philly’s Manayunk section ) I passed a gas station with regular unleaded gas at over 4.00 per gallon. Everyday the price fluctuates so much it’s nerve racking. A regular fill up today is the equivalent of grocery shopping ( and then some ) for most families. It got me to thinking as I am sure many of us are about how much traveling we will endure this summer season.

A few years back I wrote a column about taking a vacation without leaving home. Going away on vacations often times are well overplayed. Going away to an exotic destination only to spend more than you want and ultimately not get the rest and relaxation you expect is what occurs. Now add the ever growing cost of gasoline to the mix and traveling for leisure this summer season becomes a real no brainer, that is to say stay close to home saving time and big money when you go to plan some R and R this summer. Here’s how I look at it, I spend most of my time working ( we all do ) and for me that means being in Philadelphia a lot more than I’m home in Quakertown. Now, I like Philly. I love the city. It’s my hometown. Lots going on in the city and it’s fun spending time in the city of brotherly love. That being said I do very much look forward to pulling in my driveway in Quakertown at the end of a long day. This year, like those past, I look at where I live as place to enjoy. We’ve got a town and area filled with lots of great restaurants, parks, pools, libraries, camp grounds and more. We have a world class lake – Lake Nockamixon just a few miles from us and regionally without traveling far we have a lot to choose from for vacation and recreation.

As we cross into another summer season don’t feel compelled to shell out the big bucks to drive somewhere far and spend your money, you can save lots and have a lot fun right here at home. I took a poll amongst clients and those here at my office. While many include a trip to the shore this summer season, the ‘back and forth’ several times a season has been shaved to one maybe two trips down and back. It’s simply too costly to go to the shore each weekend. There are a lot of business’ booming with the cost of gas soaring. Here in Philly use of Public transportation is at an all time high. Bicycles, motorcycles, personal scooters are all ‘en vogue’ today as people look to downsize to get around town. I used to work with a guy who never took a vacation that includes leaving the area. What an oddball, I used to think. Truthfully I think taking a vacation to a distant destination has a lot of merit both educational and recreational. What I don’t think is mentioned enough in today’s spend-a-lot culture is that we can vacation as well if not better staying close to home.

Factoring in gas, lodging and other expenses you may find very quickly it’s a lot easier taking a vacation right in your own backyard. If you take a weekday or two through the summer, you can find many area recreation spots offer discount pricing and other perks. I’ll stick around town more this year, I have plans to see the beach but less than years past due to rising fuel costs and other expenses related with the annual trek to the shore. Think about your vacation plans and see where you can include your home as a vacation resort. You and your wallet will be glad you did. See ya around town.