Gas goes up, but road tripping remains neutral

It is summer time and gas is about to go up, but don't worry that's what day trips are for. The best way to keep traveling while beginning to tighten the wallets or pocketbooks is to use the imagination, be pragmatic, and keep the adventurous spirit from fading into the sunset. One way to accomplish this is through day trips and local outings. While to some a day trip may be to a local museum or a two-hour weekend escape, the itinerary is entirely up to you. Regardless, there are places to go and things to see. Here are three possible suggestions. 1. Drive less than an hour from where you live, there may be some diamonds in the rough waiting to be found.

Gainesville, TX is just over a half hour north of Denton and it has a former Harvey House and was the home of the famous California Trail, a path many Americans took in their search for Gold, God, and Glory. 2. A Staycation

Enjoy a night or two in that motel/hotel you have been curious about, but too ashamed because you live so close. In addition, put on that Mickey Mouse t-shirt that has begun to see moths, get the Polaroid, and begin searching the town or city you live in. More often than not, we bypass everything as we make our rounds to work, the supermarket, and the barber/salon. Not only find a place to stay, but check out the neighborhood. Put yourself in visitors shoes and enjoy your community. Finally, 3. Just hit the open road on a Saturday, and drive until you are tired. Try a local or new route. More often than not a journey away from the confines of home will help the soul. One never knows what lingers along the asphalt.

A Muleshoe off US 84 northwest of Lubbock.

A railroad bridge along the Red River (between Colbert, OK and Denison, TX along US 75/69)

Rich history by Blanco Canyon in West Texas. While gas prices make its annual spike there are ways to combat it and enjoy yourself.