by Joseph Malek

Created on: June 09, 2008

During a time when the price for everything that keeps us healthy and alive is rising higher than a kite in a hurricane the best value for my vacation budget is a trip to a resort that is located in a scenic mountain region of the United States of America. So too, a large scenic and useful lake is usually located within walking distance of the resort in question. As such, the visitor can fish and/or swim, scuba dive, water ski and/or tour the lake in a boat or jet-ski, in or on that lake while enjoying the outdoors and the wonders of Nature.

There is an additional benefit to the visitor, in that the visitor can hike and explore new places and observe the wild life within its natural habitat. You don't see as much at the beach, beside sea shells, sand and nearly naked men, women and children. You also risk injury by swimming in the ocean and there is a good chance that your unprotected skin could contract skin cancer. As a matter of fact, most people end up sunburned and/or with peeling skin before they return to their home.

In spite of those dangers thousands of people seek the Sun and the ocean as a means to relax and enjoy the wonders of Nature. As such, those beach resorts are mighty expensive for every person who books a room, discounted or otherwise, within a beach resort.

Worse yet, an encounter with rude and abusive people is more common than you think, and there are those who seek to steel your valuables while you're swimming or away from your blanket, tent or wherever you established your little area of occupation on that beach. If anything bad can happen, it will most likely be on a beach filled with strangers from all walks of life. You will never see any of them again and they won't see you either.

In regard to the treatment you receive from the staff of those restaurants and beach resorts, every time you turn around there is a worker with their hand out for a tip. Those restaurant owners are getting rich and their places are jammed to capacity each and every day and they don't much care if you like their food or not. I speak from experience in that regard and I'll never go to such a place again.

As a matter of fact, I would rather sit in front of my television set, within the comfort of my own home, and watch a travel program while I munch popcorn and drink a beer. With the rising cost for everything, the cost of that beer and popcorn might consume my entire vacation budget. Where will you go this summer?

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