High price of gas will cause many to forego traditional holiday travel
BY LELAND ACKER

With the price of gasoline steadily climbing, Cherokeean Herald subscribers have mixed feelings about whether gas prices will affect their Memorial Day plans. Some said their travel plans have been altered by gas prices, of which the national average is $3.179 for regular. Others say local attractions are enough to keep them home. Many residents said they will continue to travel and complain about gas prices.

"I will be staying in Rusk for the Fair on the Square, so I don't need to buy gas!" said Sarah Welch of Rusk.

Matthew Wallace of Alto said the Alto Veterans of Foreign Wars will go to all the local cemeteries to put out flags for the veterans. They will also play Taps.

Phyllis Wilburn of Jacksonville said, "I do not travel during the Memorial Day weekend. I stay home to honor our local veterans by attending the memorial services at Hazel Tilton Park in Jacksonville."

Sixty-seven percent of respondents to an online poll on www.thecherokeean.com said that gas prices will affect their travel plans.

Many of those whose travel plans have been altered say that their day-to-day lives have been altered as well.

Jim Harper of Gallatin said he will likely plan for a shorter trip.

"I think, in general, gas prices have resulted in planning for combining trips and fewer visitations than in the past," he said. "Most folks tend to continue to budget for the necessary use of gasoline for work and cut back on recreational trips."

Debbie Miller of Cushing said gas prices have forced her to stay home most of the time.

"I am carpooling to work, saving up trips to the store and running the errands all at once now," she said. "I can't afford to change vehicles to get something smaller just for better gas mileage."

Ms. Miller said it will cost more to buy the gas to get to her vacation destination than it will to stay there.

"The price of gas has jumped so fast that it has negatively affected my budget," said Leroy Richardson of Longview. "It will figure into most of my extended trip plans, including Memorial Day weekend."

Others say the price of gas will have little impact on their summer plans.

"If I had plans, I would not cancel them because of gas prices," said Shirley Babb of Dry Creek, La.

Dana Long of Rusk said, "I will continue to drive and gripe about how high the gas is."

"I spent last weekend and part of last week in Galveston. I'm thinking of going to either Austin or Shreveport next week," said Woody Edmiston of Whitehouse, who is currently promoting his book, "Why Parents Should Fear MySpace."

W.L. Smallwood of Pasadena said he plans to be in Atoy this weekend even if it does cost an arm and a leg.

Rebecca Koenning said she still plans to travel Memorial Day weekend to attend a high school graduation.

Many respondents fell into the same category as Don Vandever, who said, "I will complain about the price while I burn it up. I never dreamed I'd have a truck big enough to hold $75 worth of gasoline."