Can we Talk?
It looks like gas is going to run past the $4.00/gallon mark, and it may stay there through the summer travel season. I have my own views on some of the how and why of all that, but it is not my purpose here to explain the intricacies of the commodities futures markets and election-year panic mongering. Let’s just stay with park related issues here; and talk about the realities of the impact of gas prices on camping, boating and other forms of vacation travel.
Yes, $4.00 per gallon is a galling record. And yes, $126 per barrel for crude oil is mind boggling. But if we are not careful we will do exactly what I think the political class wants us to do; which is to panic and scream and shout for them to save us. And in the process we may make some choices that a year from now may seem a little silly. One of those choices would be to deprive our families of the quality time that outdoor recreation offers. I hear people talk about maybe not going camping this year because of the gas prices. Those people, in my opinion, are buying what the fear mongers are selling.
I don’t like paying more for gas either, but while $4.00 is galling, it is not like it went UP $4.00. It was over $3.25 this time last year and we didn’t let it ruin our family outings. The price is up maybe 75 cents now; which if you are driving a trailer towing vehicle that only gets 11 MPG, you are going to pay an extra $0.07 per mile while towing. If you live in the Bloomington area and drive to West Boggs, the round trip will cost you an extra $7.00 for gas, compared to last year. Sure that galls us all some, and the politicians are counting on that reaction; but should we let it decide our vacation time activities? I for one hope you don’t let that happen.
At West Boggs we feel so strongly that it is a mistake to let the combination of election year politics and market goofiness ruin your vacation that we have decided to offer an extra incentive to you to not allow that to happen. We will give you an INSTANT FUEL REBATE of $25.00 for any camping visit of a week or longer; just to take away any reason you might have thought you had to miss the trip this year. At the rate shown above, driving the gas hog trailer puller at 11 MPG, and with gas at $0.75 above last year, that will totally absorb the increased gas price out to about 356 miles round trip. If you live closed than that the rebate means you get the equivalent of gas prices actually below last year’s.
Now get the family together and make those plans and don’t let the headlines ruin your summer. You’ll be glad you made the right choice; and we’ll be glad to have been able to help. Call 812-295-3421.
Filed under: Camping
