"The Extra Mile" - the Tracks & Trails blog

Travel to destinations outside of the United States will be more attractive than earlier in 2008 because of the stronger dollar. Currently, there is a 20% discount in the cost of the Euro but there is no guarantee that the exchange rates will stay this favorable. We hope that you will stay closer to home and see the magificence of our National Parks.

The price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States is averaging around $1.65 right now and seems to be headed lower. Many forecasters are expecting that this will not hold through next summer's driving season, but it's expected to stay well below the record prices of 2008. This should be favorable for you to choose a Tracks & Trails driving adventure since 2009 gasoline prices may be half what they were in 2008. And don't forget that when traveling by RV, you save by buying your own food - and it usually tastes better, too!

Pierce RV in Billings, Montana is the newest RV supplier joining the Tracks & Trails team of RV partners. We use them primarily for a beautiful trip via the Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone & the Grand Teton National Parks (here's a link to the trip on our website if you want to read more Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons).  Although it adds some miles traveling to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons from Billings rather than Jackson Hole, the scenic Beartooth Highway is worth it according to many of our clients. Charles Kurault called it “America’s most beautiful highway.” Some of our adventurers were also able to include Cody, Wyoming in their itineraries and enjoyed the Buffalo Bill Historical Center which includes 5 museums.

We hear many of our clients talk about how they need to be very active during their vacations. Does this sound like something you've thought of or said:

• "My kids want to do everything - hike, bike, fish, climb, swim..."
• "We are very athletic and we want to do at least two activities every day."
• "We love driving. We can drive 500 miles a day."

Not that there isn't anything wrong with doing a ton of stuff on your vacation and we don't doubt that you could drive 500 miles a day. The question is, "Would you really want to if you don't have to?".