Cost of gas causing Lynners to ditch long distance trips

LYNN – The number four is the hot topic of conversation on this long holiday weekend, but for most Lynners it is the presence of the number at gas stations rather than on the calendar that has them talking.As one of the busiest travel times of the year approaches gas remains at $4 per gallon or higher at most area service stations, while the price per barrel of oil has skyrocketed to record highs over $150, delivering a flush stomach punch to the airline industry.Area residents are feeling the pain both in their wallets and on their psyche this summer, and many say they have had to change their normal summer routine to adapt to the seemingly endless increase in travel cost.Lynn resident Bruce Beverly and his wife have been traveling to York Beach in Maine during the summer for years, but say this year they are going to take a vacation a little closer to home in an attempt to supplement their income rather than waste money on gas.”My wife and I usually like to go to York Beach, but boy is that a lot of gas. So my wife is pretty lucky, and this year we’ve decided to go up to Suffolk Downs a few times,” he said. “It is tough, I started keeping track of my gas recently and it ads up pretty quick. So, like I said, my wife is pretty lucky so we’re going to see if we might make a little money as opposed to spending it.”Beverly said he plans on taking the T to the East Boston racetrack a few times a week.Salem resident Amanda Crean is in the same situation. A credit union employee in downtown Lynn, she said the current financial situation makes it difficult to commute to and from work some weeks, let alone take a long trip.She has put off her usual summer jaunts to areas like Canobie Lake Park or Six Flags New England this year to save money on gas.”I would say the biggest reason (for not taking a vacation) is financially it is just so expensive,” she said. “I need a motorcycle these days.”A cigarette smoker, Crean says gas prices combined with the new cigarette tax have really put a dent in her income, and she has been forced to cut down on the two.”Yeah, it is really hard. It’s like I have to pick one, either I’m driving or I’m smoking,” she said. “So I have had to cut down on both.”Recent surgery is the primary reason why Lynn resident Bill Hunt won’t be traveling this summer, but the gas prices are affecting his life too. Hunt no longer drives and says his usual visit from his family who now live in New Hampshire was different this year.”My family was here for a little bit in June, we are all from Lynn but they are coming from New Hampshire now so it was expensive for them,” he said. “I don’t drive anymore myself. It is a huge money-saver on gas, there is no more insurance and you don’t have to worry about wear and tear.”Gas prices are not stopping everyone from traveling, as millions will still take to the highways and the friendly skies this weekend. Newburyport resident Glen Bachelor says he is keeping his travel plans this summer despite higher costs.”It is not affecting me at all,” he said. “But I have noticed that the airline prices have gone up some.”Lifelong Lynn resident William Brown commutes around town on his bike, and has strong feelings regarding the financial and social issues facing the country as we head toward a presidential election.Among his many contentions with the Iraq war is the way it is jacking up fuel prices, something he hopes will change soon. Brown will not be taking a vacation this summer.”Who can afford (to go on vacation)? I mean all of this blood for oil crap that is going on in Iraq. You would think if we are fighting a war over it we could manage to keep the prices down, but they keep going up,” he said. “All they do is keep jacking up the prices and it makes it hard for people to survive. It isn’t right.”