Fuel Costs and Summer Travel Plans.................

With the rising gas prices and no end in site it's time to look at ways that we can enjoy a vacation while not spending all of our money on gas! While gas prices have not pushed trip cancellations, high gas prices do seem to limit travel's growth, encouraging Kansans to opt for more affordable and easily accessible destinations and events.

One way to do this is to look in and around our own community for fun ways to enjoy your time off and still spend quality time with your families. The Greater Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau was smart to include "stay-cations" in their ideas for summer.

Garden City has many fine lodging facilities that could be a fun get-away for a family with children. Book a night or two in a hotel or motel, enjoy great meals and treats eating out; maybe a little swimming at the facility, or take in an afternoon at the big pool. Take time to enjoy shopping downtown or maybe a visit to the zoo and museum. The Sandsage Bison Range offers a wonderful tour! Garden City has wonderful parks or even a little golf would be nice on a hot, lazy wind blown afternoon. With a little research you could take in a special event (such as Beef Empire Days festivities, the Rodeo, or Buffalo Days in June. July offers the IFCA Rodeo finals and the Finney County Fair. What great events to enjoy with your families and yet have the excitement of traveling without traveling far.....just down the street to a hotel!

It's time for all of us, as consumers to look at ways to think outside the box and yet still have affordable fun. There are also many great things to see in western Kansas that make day trips very affordable...........you can visit Dodge City and all it has to offer or make a trip to Oz-Land in Liberal. For more options on travel ideas in Kansas visit TravelKS.com. Remember, the first day of Summer is June 21st.........it's right around the corner.