Many Texans choose to spend vacation close to home

From statesman.com, July 13, 2008...

Two years ago, Stephanie McMillan and her sister, Staci Carroll, drove their kids to Disney World. This year, they wanted to take the crew to see the Grand Canyon, but high gas prices and a lackluster economy got in the way.

Instead of going to see the magnificent reds and greens of the canyon, McMillan and a friend left their home in the Houston area, piled the children into a Chevy Tahoe and drove west — to Buda. Meanwhile, Carroll traveled north from Rockport to meet them there. The sisters said staying with the friend's relatives in Buda for six days would make their vacation more affordable.

As for the Grand Canyon, McMillan said, "We ain't doing it this summer."

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Staycations popular in local state park

From News 8 Austin, July 12, 2008...

The sixteen members of the Peterman-Bednarczyk family are spending the weekend at Bastrop State Park.

Chuck Peterman called it one of the family's "staycations--closer to home."

Home for the Peterman-Bednarczyk family is Dallas, Victoria and Temple. They picked Bastrop as their central meeting point.

"Anywhere you have to go, it's got to take driving," John Bednarczyk said. "You have to do what you have to do for the family. Four dollars is worth it."


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