Gas prices got you down? Stick around

NEWBURYPORT — Richard Jones learned long ago you don't need to travel far to enjoy the summer season.

Jones, his wife Sheila and their three daughters Elizabeth, 8, Helen, 9 and Julia, 15, have rented a home on Plum Island for a few weeks each summer since the girls were babies.

"You come over the bridge, and you're in the vacation mind set," Jones said of his yearly "island getaways."

"There is the beauty of the island along the basin and the point," Sheila Jones said. "It's a beautiful place at night and to walk. It's a fairly quiet island."

And while the main reason they choose the island each year is because of proximity to work and to their home in Newburyport, this year the gas prices are certainly just one more reason to stay local.

"It's an unusual comfort to vacation near home," Richard Jones said. "We are just four or five miles away and can go home easily. Time and ease equals savings on gas."

With gas running motorists more than $4 a gallon and everything else seemingly costing more — even those Fourth of July franks cost 9 percent more this year than last year — what are locals to do to celebrate the country's independence? For the first time this decade, AAA estimates a decline in the number of Americans traveling more than 50 miles from home during the Fourth of July holiday. But lucky for Newburyport residents, there is plenty to do right in the city's backyard.

Yesterday, despite an afternoon thunderstorm, Salisbury Beach was bustling with tourists.

"I can't believe how busy it is here," Salisbury Chamber of Commerce President Maria Miles said. "A lot of times people use Salisbury as a pit stop before going on to other destinations, but this year they are definitely staying closer to home and staying at the beach."

Miles said area hotels are booking up quickly and they are expecting a big weekend.

Hampton Chamber of Commerce President Doc Noel said the beach is full of people on the holiday, both locals looking for a quick getaway and those from much farther away.

"It's very good the holiday is falling on a Friday and it is very weather driven," Noel said. "With the proximity to the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore, the beach is not a five-hour drive away, and that certainly makes a difference."

With arcades, beach shops and sand, Noel said ithat n addition to locals flocking to the beach, he also sees many Canadians.

"The Canadians come because of the exchange rate," Noel said. "And people tend to stay the weekend, as most hotels require a three-night minimum. Right now, they are doing really well. A lot are sold out for the weekend."

Earlier this week, Salisbury Beach Reservation was already completely full in anticipation of the Fourth, according to Department of Recreation and Conservation spokeswoman Wendy Fox.

"Overall reservations across the state are 13 percent higher this summer," she said.

To save money, Ken Taylor, owner of Plum Island Kayak, is hoping people leave the car in the garage and take to the waters this holiday weekend.

Plum Island Kayak rents out kayaks to those who are experienced as well as offering classes and daily guided tours.

"Fourth of July is the busiest day of our year," Taylor said. "Some reserve kayaks six months before."

Taylor is still taking reservations for the weekend but does say they may sell out.

"It's real busy," he said.

For those who prefer the high seas, Newburyport Whale Watch is offering a Fourth of July dinner cruise tomorrow and Saturday night from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

For $49 dinner is served from the Starboard Galley restaurant, and a disc jockey will provide entertainment.

Swimmers also don't have to travel far. A trip to Water Country in Portsmouth is yet another popular spot for those sticking around.

"It's still early to tell, but I have heard some people are staying close because of gas prices," Water Country assistant general manager Andy Nitschelm said. "Some families may be skipping those trips to Florida and coming to Water Country."

Local golf courses are also gearing up for a weekend busier than usual.

"It's busy every weekend, but the Fourth we will have a lot of people," Jack Flanders of Ould Newbury Golf Club said. "Usually we have a pretty good turnout on the Fourth."

As early as Tuesday, the downtown was bustling with tourists. One Danvers family came for the day opting for short day trips this summer rather than a weeklong vacation at a resort.

For Jones and his family, there is no need to go far as they feel everything you would ever want in a vacation destination is just a drive away.

"We have a beautiful island, and everything we need right down the street," Jones said.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Local Firework Displays

Amesbury — July 4, 9 p.m. at Woodsom Farm

Salisbury Beach — July 5, 10 p.m., at Salisbury Beach

Hampton Beach — July 4, 9:30 p.m., at the Beach across from C Street

Newton — July 4, 9 p.m., at Russell J. Halloran Field & Sports Complex, Albemarle Road

Haverhill — July 3, 9 p.m., at the Haverhill stadium, 17 Lincoln

Lawrence — July 2, dusk, at South Lawrence East School, 165 Crawford St.

Fourth of July Forecast

According to the National Weather Service:

Tomorrow — Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows in the upper 60s with highs in the 70s.

Tomorrow night — Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers, chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday — Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 70s. Lows in the 60s.

Sunday — Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs around 80 degrees. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Current Gas Prices

Location Regular Mid Premium Diesel

Boston $4.079 $4.386 $4.553 $4.886

The Cape $4.183 $4.498 $4.668 $4.973

Springfield $4.073 $4.379 $4.546 $4.892

New Hampshire $4.00 $4.332 $4.487 $4726

Maine $4.102 $4.425 $4.549 $4.822

Rhode Island $4.110 $4.373 $4.517 $4.913

*According to AAA Merrimack Valley>>>>

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