Travel plans hindered by economic loom
The downward spiral in the U.S. economy as the nation emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some vacationers to alternate or outright cancel travel plans this summer as fuel costs sit near $5 a gallon going into summer.
Marcus Smith, of Fayette Township, typically enjoys packing up his family and vacationing at a beach destination along the eastern seaboard every summer as his kids break from the routine of school hours, but this year may look different.
Instead of traveling nearly 1,000 miles to their favorite sandy destination, the Smith family is planning to stay somewhat local and are busily preparing for their July vacation within Michigan.
"We're bummed, sure, but the kids are looking forward to exploring South Haven and Sleeping Bear Dunes this summer," Smith said. "My own father took us camping all over Michigan when we were kids and those memories are some of the best ones I have from when I was a kid."
While the Smith family is alternating their plans, others, are outright cancelling.
"Most of us seniors live on a fixed income and we simply cannot afford to travel like we planned in retirement anymore," said Loretta James. "The price of everything has increased...my medicines, groceries, cable television and gas is the worst."
James said she plans to stay put for the summer instead of traveling to visit her sister in Phoenix as she had planned.
Others are finding refuge in shorter, more convenient trips to Hocking Hills, Ohio, or Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Richard Davis, now retired from Ford Motor Company after 42 years in manufacturing, is set on touring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior this fall.
He and his partner, Cheyenne, purchased a travel trailer four years ago and enjoy traveling around to various campgrounds in the region exploring Michigan.
"We haven't crossed the bridge yet, but it's on our bucket list," Davis said. "You don't have to travel to Florida to find a picturesque beach...they're all over Michigan."
Davis may be busy planning his bucket list trip, which will include a stop at Kitchitikipee and a stay in Escanaba, but he has cancelled two other smaller ventures to Traverse City in June and to Mackinac this summer in a cost-saving move.
"Nobody really knows with this economy," Davis said. "And I thought the ’70s were bad."
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Travel plans hindered by economic loom
