We have decided to stay close once again. We will try to go to Branson and then a quick weekend in Chicago. But no Disney or beach this year. Just local and backyard family get togethers. Will try to save up a little to go to Florida in 2010 by working a second job.

My answer to your question. “NO”

Now, a question for you, “how much business will your electronic edition advertisers lose by having their name and services on the right side of the monitor instead of the left side. On the right side they are a constant irritation. Who do you want your readers to complain to, you or your advertisers?

Johnh:
I don’t think the position of ads has changed, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’ll ask our programmers, though.
Thanks,

The best thing that came out of the $4.00 a gallon gas was that my car will last a little longer because I didn’t use it as much and my bass boat only got around 10 hours put on it last summer. It still looks like new.

My wife and I were never forced to cut back on travel because of money. We have done quit well. My upbringing is what kept me home a lot. I was always taught to watch my spending and don’t spend foolishly. Even though fuel is cheaper than last year, I still get sick every time I fill the car. We both came from families with fathers that were construction workers back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Money was always a problem because they didn’t work very much in the winter. I guess we learned from that and we didn’t do much last summer because we just felt like we didn’t need to spend so much on fuel. We will go more than last summer but not as much as in resent years.

We are spending a week in Dallas in September. going to see the first game at the new Texas Stadium…. Gonna be a good time for sure!! and airfare now is cheap!!! We got round trip tix for 124.00 each..

I have a two year old and another on the way. If gas were free it wouldn’t change the fact that we’re not doing much this summer.

johnh, what are you talking about? Have you planted some whacky tobaccy in your tropical garden this year? Those ads have been on the right side of the screen since this format began. I think the ads are fine on the right side. But really, what does it matter? I suspect you would complain if they were on the left side, too.

With all the tightness in the economy and rising costs, we are also thinking more thrifty vacation thoughts. I think we will go camping at a state park. I was wondering if Johnson’s Shut In State Park was fully open yet? I can’t seem to get any detailed information on their website!

Anyone else have any information about Johnson’s Shut Ins?

We will continue our ongoing trend of the past few years, less because of the economy and more because of the decline and degradation of the airline industry. Flying has become such an incredibly inconvenient, uneconomical pain-in-the-you-know-where, we tend to schedule shorter driving trips - Illinois, Tennessee, Iowa, etc. However - as a rule I would rather nail my foot to the floor and go around in circles than go to Branson.

Amanda, don’t pay any attention to johnh. He gets this on Mondays, after his work release program has denied him weekend visitation. He’ll be OK when his meds kick in.

……… Our car gets 32+ mpg on the highway, therfore gasoline prices (one way or the other) don’t affect our budget too much. We have also discovered in our travels so far this year, that lodging prices seem to have dropped significantly.

Crashtest,
I think you’re right about lodging. We got two nights at the Peabody in Memphis this summer for under $300, when usually one night runs about $250 or so.