GORHAM, MAINE | First let me state for the record that I am not implying the American Vacation is in the toilet. Not even close. Even though many spend a great deal of money in the toilet, that's not what I am writing about. For right now, flush all the bad toilet jokes.

Ask yourself, what do these three items have in common? You can certainly guess what two of the items have in common. But the third... that could be a little more perplexing. Toilet paper and Gasoline. Not as unrelated as you might think. Let me explain.

Each year millions of Americans take to the road in search of the American Vacation. To clarify, there is no such thing as the typical American vacation. For some, it's a weekend trip to grandma's house. For others, it's a week spent in a quiet remote bed and breakfast. Some find themselves in a southern beach front plastic molded resort where feigned perfection is by design and not by accident.

But for most Americans, the true vacation is time spent with family and friends while experiencing a few moments in that we think about all year long. A real vacation is time to do nothing. No choices to make, no pressing matters to address, no email to send, just time to have, period.

Time is such an odd commodity when you think about it. We all have it, it's ours, even if we don't want it, but we have to buy it in order to truly enjoy it. Why does something we have for free cost us so much? But that's another story, so let me continue.

According to AAA, this year Americans will spend on average about .50 cents more per gallon of gas than last year. According the industry experts, the increase in "at the pump prices" will affect the number of people traveling. As an Innkeeper, this doesn't make sense. I know many people in the northeast last year blamed the low tourist traffic on gasoline prices. So if that is true than this year should continue to be worse than last year since the price at the pump is yet again higher than it was last year.

But let me take you back a few years. Do you remember in 1973 there was a shortage of toilet paper for several weeks in the United States. No reason, we just ran out. Or did we? On the night of December 19th 1973, Johnny Carson made a joke about a shortage on toilet paper. The next day, 20 million Americans ran to the grocery store to stock up on toilet paper. The shoppers who followed the rush saw the empty shelves and they too believed in the shortage and began to buy up toilet paper leading to even more panic buying. Three weeks passed before we woke up a realized that there was nothing to worry about. Our bathrooms would continue to be a safe place. It's rather funny when you think about it.

So today, AAA releases hard industry data that says the prices are officially higher than last year. Almost .50 cents higher and then concluded that the increase of 50 cents will result in fewer people traveling. And magically, fewer people will travel. Now those who depend on the tourism industry for a living start to suffer and feel the brunt of this effect while our oil companies friends post higher than ever profits. But that's another story.

What if the experts were to issue a report that read "travel will surge this year with more people exploring parts of the country they have never seen despite record gas prices." Would it actually happen? Would just the thought and mention that it's ok to travel and that the affirmation that it won't cost too much more, actually result in more people traveling.

The truth is this. A family driving from New York to spend five days near Portland Maine and then driving back would only spend about 27$ more than they did last year on gas for the trip. Is $27 enough to cancel their plans for a wonderful relaxing five day trip. I can hear the so-called experts now. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.

How did I arrive at that figure? Let me keep it simple so the travel experts can understand. Let's figure a 320 mile drive from New York to Maine, 100 miles a day for some sightseeing and then a 320 mile return trip. Add it up. That's about 940 miles and if gas prices are up by .50 cents a gallon and lets say our family is getting about 20 miles per gallon in their mid sized car they would consume about 47 gallons during the trip. Factor an increase in gas prices of 50 cents: that means a family pays about $23.50 more in fuel. But I always drive more than I think I will, so does our example family and they too end up with an extra couple hundred miles of driving the trip they still spend less than $30 more than the same trip did last year. That's it! Thirty dollars!

If I could wave a magic wand and lower oil prices I would. But what I can do is send a message to those who stir up unnecessary panic in the tourism industry. "STOP IT". Your very words are hurting the core of the American Economy. Whether it's toilet paper or gasoline, travel predictions or high tide, people have to stop believing what they read and just start enjoying life the way it was meant to be.

Life was meant to be lived, not slept through. Dreams are for those awake, not sleeping. Travel fair and live well.

Matt Mattingly is an Innkeeper living in Gorham, Maine and operating the PineCrest Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Matt Mattingly
PineCrest Bed and Breakfast Inn
(207)839-5843
PineCrest Bed and Breakfast Inn