Sun May 25, 2008 at 14:25:38 PM EDT
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Ah, Memorial Day weekend. That time when it feels as if Summer officially starts, up north goes to Up North (or UP North), and fishing poles, boats, and coolers get pulled out of closets and basements. Cabins, cottages, and car top carriers all get opened up and swept out. Normally I'd say that 75, 96, 127, and 131 approach creep-and-beep status, but that's changing.
This is one of the first years that I'm not heading anywhere this weekend, and many of my friends and family find themselves in similar situations. Newsweek reports that as many as 60% of Americans are planning on cutting back on vacation plans because of rising gas prices. While AAA of Michigan estimates 1.3 million of us will still travel, to some like me, it seems like the only thing going up is the price of gas.
Instead, I'm enjoying what's being coined a 'Staycation' and I'm taking it easy on a local level. While it's nice to rest, relax, and save money, I'm still feeling pretty guilty.
It's definitely not the same as heading north, breathing in the heady scent of fresh pine, seeing giant expanses of forests and fields, and eyeing the endless coastline of the Lakes. I tell myself it's okay I'm not spending twice or three times as much money for gas simply to get from here or there, but it's a small consolation. Because it still feels like nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul.
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