Here & There Column 5-20-08

Better This Year To Vacation In New York State

Looking at an unstable economy and gas prices pushing towards and passing the $4.00 per gallon range with some saying it may go to $5.00 a gallon many who take long vacation trips during the summer months may be planning to vacation just a little bit closer to home.
With my various travel throughout the state covering the professionjal sports of bowling and golf I get the opportunity to see why so many say that New York has a little of everything....ocean and lake, wooded mountains, quiet valley farmlands, the nation's largest industrial city and a widely varied population.
It is so easy at various times to hear and throw out negative thoughts and statements about he state having the highest tax structure and a government in Albany that totally needs fixing and replacement but in the years before the Civil War, New York's swift growth made it true to its nickname, "The Empire State." It had the largest population, the greatest foreign trade, the richest agriculture, and the best transportation. It led in art, music and such reform movements as women's rights.
Today, New York is still a top influence inAmerica, and the world, excelling in finance, manufacturing, communications, tourism, and transportation. It leads in the manufacture of wearing apparel, machinery and electronics, and is a printing and publishing giant.
With the economy and gasoline prices where they presently are it might be a good choice to travel and vacation closer to home in New York State. This helps our state economy and gives us the opportunity to view a state of great scenic beauty with a highly developed park sys;tem.
Just think about it......we have great attractions that include Niagara Falls and the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, Saratoga Springs, Genesee River Gorge amd beautiful Long Island beaches.
Lets also throw in historic sites like Fort Ticonderoga, the Lake Placid Olynpic Village, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Ellis Island, Hyde Park and of course New York City.
As the old cronner Frank Sinatra would sing....."New York, New York." It indeed might provide shorter vacation trips, hopefully less gasoline usage, an opportunity to help our own state economy and the chance to see some great New York sites and destinations.