by Darien Watkins

Created on: July 17, 2008

If 9/11 and the threat of future terrorists acts on our home soil were not enough, rising oil and gas prices are. The term "staycation" refers to a change in the lifestyles of mainly middle and upper class families or individuals. Instead of traveling out-of-state and out-of-country, many families are staying put this summer, either around their city/town or in their homes.

The events of September 11, 2001, all but destroyed the American trust in airline safety and security. It took almost a year for airlines to get back to even their lowest financial numbers, with many having to go bankrupt. Instead of Americans flying to Florida, for instance, many began to choose to drive or take the train. That gives rise to yet another problem that we all have and will continue to face, traffic. Nobody likes traffic, and its rate began to increase even faster in direct relation to fears of flying. There's another problem, gas prices are at all time highs. So now what do we do?

It is costing Americans an average of $60 a fill, which with current gas mileage regulations, would require weekly visits to the pump, especially for suburban commuters that work in the city. Some people are even having to quit their jobs because the commute is too costly, maybe losing their higher salaries and built-up vacation time. High oil prices are not only affecting cars and trucks, but also the airlines, and even some trains, driving up fare prices and seat availability. Paying higher gas prices to get to work, and then paying even higher airline prices to get to Disney, does not sound very appeasing to the average parent.

Another reason for the popular "staycations", though not nearly as widespread, is the spreading fear of global warming. Though it may be around 5% of Americans who actually care that their cars pollute the atmosphere, I still find it applicable to include it in this article for completeness. Many are walking, jogging, biking, or even "segway-ing" to work, which health-wise seems like better ideas anyway.

These "staycations" are not necessarily a bad thing though, as staying local may provide greater community awareness and knowledge. Maybe going to your local zoo, museum, carnival, while meeting some of your neighbors will bring back the American cities that existed before the motor vehicle. Urban geographers predict a significant re-urbanization of all major cities by the year 2030, a tendency already begun by recent college graduates, such as myself. Not only are we all in debt, but city life doesn't sound like a bad idea anyway. No reason to drive, which means no car payments, no traffic, and even more appetizing, no gas prices! I wouldn't mind it.

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