Labor Day photo by Ed Yourdon, Flickr
SourceIt is the last day of August, next Monday is Labor Day in Canada and the USA, and it is generally back to school time in the northern Hemisphere -- in other words, the end of summer is approaching. Although fall doesn't officially begin until the autumnal equinox on September 23rd, for many practical purposes, summer is essentially over.
The economy has effected many people's summer plans. Some have been unable to take vacations, and this Labor Day weekend fewer people in may be traveling during the 'end of summer' holiday than last year. According to AAA, increasing air fares and economic uncertainty could keep some Americans at home, while decreasing gas prices and auto rental costs may spur others to do some driving.
AAA forecasts 31.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, a 2.4 percent decrease from the 32.3 million people who traveled one year ago. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, September 1 to Monday, September 5.
“AAA is projecting a decrease in the number of Labor Day travelers as some Americans react to recent economic uncertainty and increasing air fares,” said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. “While automobile travel is expected to increase slightly, if recent declines in gasoline prices continue through Labor Day, we could see an increase in last-minute holiday weekend travel.” [...]
Weekend daily car rental rates will average $43, a seven percent decrease from one year ago.
Whether it involves travel or not, there are lots of things people will do before summer's end. Are one of the following something you plan to do? If not, maybe you will find something you can still do before the close of the season:
Take a vacation.
Visit the tourist attractions in your own area.
Throw a party.
Take at least one day for yourself.
Spend some 'quality time' with ____________.
Lie out on the grass reading, listening to music or whatever.
Have a picnic.
Walk outside barefoot.
Go to the beach.
Go down a river.
Do some climbing.
Camp out.
Cook out.
Go hiking.
Bicycle around.
Roller skate.
Go out to watch a sport.
Go out to play a sport.
Visit a museum.
Finish that book you wanted to read.
Go for a ride in a hot air balloon.
See that summer movie / those summer movies you have been meaning to see.
Watch a film under the stars.
Go to an outdoor concert.
Buy fresh summer fruit/vegetables at a local farmers market.
Enjoy a sunset and a moonrise.
Do something you have never done before.
Finish that summer project you had planned.
Make a list of things to do this autumn.
Whether or not you still have something left to do, I hope when your summer ends you can look back and say it was a good one.
Carloz
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