Tuesday Open Line


All across the country, many families are squeezing in a last week of vacation before school gets under way. These getaways will take people to the mountains, lakes, ocean beaches, and the country’s network of national parks and recreation areas for one last summer fling. Many will be sightseeing trips, while others have more defined goals, such as fishing, camping, or hiking. Americans go on 350 million leisure trips each year, averaging about 4½ nights away from home. More than eight-out-of-10 of these trips are by car, and about 15 percent involve air travel. When away from home, more than 40 percent of travelers stay in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.