Three day weekend a welcome break from daily grind

It's finally here. The last three-day weekend of the summer has more than likely already begun for most readers. Whether your Labor Day weekend plans include a trip out of town or to the lake, or simply a weekend at home, the time away from work is a welcome change, for those who get to enjoy it.

According to the motor club AAA, 33 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday period, up nearly 33 percent from last year. This is the highest level of travel for Labor Day since the start of the recession back in 2007.

Travelers will need to budget more for lodging costs and fuel expenses this year. On Tuesday, AAA reported that hotel costs are up four to six percent compared to last year and fuel costs are up 15 cents a gallon compared to 2011.

That 15 cents was as of Tuesday. We hope you filled your gas tank early in the week.

The company's Twitter feed reported on Thursday, Aug. 23, that the national average price of gas had remained at $3.72 a gallon for seven straight days. They shouldn't have said that. It's kind of like bragging about a toddler who always eats his vegetables. As soon as you say it out loud, he's going to prove you wrong.

The next day, Friday, they reported a one-cent overnight increase; Monday they reported a two-cent increase over the weekend as Tropical Storm Isaac approached the Gulf Coast.

Another half-cent increase was reported on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday the jump was nearly five cents as refineries shut down because of Hurricane Isaac. Another two-cent increase was reported yesterday, getting us to the Thursday average of $3.83.

As if to add even more insult to injury, it doesn't look like Isaac will bring much relief in the form of rainfall to the area - certainly not enough rainfall to put a dent in the damage caused by the drought. Too little, too late, as the old saying goes.

But not everything in the world is bad. It is a three-day weekend. Football season is in full swing. MTV has cancelled Jersey Shore. And a little rain is better than none at all.

Be careful on the roads and water this weekend. Enjoy your time with family and friends.