Sierra Adventure as an Escape from the Economy

[Hetchy]

I am wondering how many people are going to take trips to the Sierra this year. Would more people be considering "Staycations" this year due to economic woes?
For my own part I am planning to "gun it" this year and Thru-hike the PCT, not entirely because my job has almost evaporated but it WAS a factor in the descision.
How about y'all? Are others planning to find solace in the far places of our beloved Sierra this year, pehaps more so than before because of the economy?
I bring this up not only out of my own interest but because I have noticed others on PCT-L and elsewhere testing the waters.
I intend to spend much coin in many of those little towns along the PCT this year in part from neccesity but also in part to help out. I know they MUST be hurting cause here in the San Jose/ Sant Cruz area we are hurting.. BAD. I figure this trip will be a reverse economic stimulus. I will give back to the area I have taken so much from.. if it only be a minor amount of dollars.
How many other people will choose to spend time and money this year in the Sierra and the Sierra towns? Above I have created a poll.
This might be the "Last Hurrah!" for me for a while.. no more multiple trips a year.. at least as far as I can see at the moment.. and that ain't too far. But I am still fed, housed and smiling.
If you can afford it I suggest we take that extra layover, that extra cheesburger, buy that piece of gear somewhere up along the Sierra. I am pretty sure San Jose will survive but places along Hwys 120, 395, 88 etc I dunno.
What do you think? Hetchy

[markskor]

Last year, gas was above $4.50/gal, making extended trips into the Sierra prohibitive. For me, one round-trip Sacramento to Yosemite was over $120 just in gas. I only got two trips in.
Today, even with our dour economy, gas today was still low, $2.07 at my neighborhood Shell...~$50 for the same trip.
Yes this Post-Bush economy sucks, but my gear is paid for...and waiting.
I only plan one trip this season, but it will last 4 weeks, and will not come home in the middle as I did last year.
For all the money problems we are now experiencing, and will probably continue for a while too, backpacking is indeed a cheap escape. Hard to spend money when you are 20 trail miles from the nearest Pizza.

[dave54]

Last year, gas was above $4.50/gal, making extended trips into the Sierra prohibitive. For me, one round-trip Sacramento to Yosemite was over $120 just in gas...

So at $2.25 per gallon It would be $60 one-way, or $120 round trip. How much did you spend at home during those times you did not go? How much is the memories and pleasures worth?

Dinner and a movie for two is close to $120. Both my wife and I enjoy a weekend out alone more than a single evening out. For us it's a matter of priorities and choosing how to spend our discretionary funds.

[ERIC]

Both my wife and I enjoy a weekend out alone more than a single evening out. For us it's a matter of priorities and choosing how to spend our discretionary funds.

Same. However, for us, it's usually either stick around the house, or get the heck out of Dodge. Discretionary funds are a little tight with Megan still in school. Like you and your wife, we prioritize to get the max enjoyment for our dollar. But it's not necessarily an automatic that people who stay home choose to spend the same money on local entertainment as they might on a trip to the Sierra. Personally speaking, we're not much for movies or similar canned forms of entertainment. I get nauseous from the mere smell of popcorn (no joke), which is just as well because the wife suddenly develops a form of temporary narcolepsy when watching movies anyway. And a nice dinner at a restaurant is...well...nice. But not a necessity for every weekend spent on the home front. We usually end up cooking together, or with friends of ours if and when we stay close to home.

If not jumping into the car to go for a hike on the weekends, we're happiest hanging out together doing fun and FREE activities - saving money for future trips to the Sierra.
That's my