Gas Prices Hurting Summer Plans? Turn Your Backyard into a Fuel-free Vacation

by | Aug 4, 2008 | Articles, Uncategorized

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Gas Prices Hurting Summer Plans? Turn Your Backyard into a Fuel-free Vacation</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – Break out those shorts – summer is here.<span>  </span>With the arrival of hot weather season, many homeowners are beginning to think about summertime escapes. Unfortunately, as the temperature rises, gas prices continue to soar.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/16a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/16a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If you are concerned about vacation plans being ruined this year because of economic concerns, don’t sweat it. Take a summer vacation without leaving your own backyard! </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Adding a hot tub or swimming pool to the outdoor living area is rapidly becoming a "must have" in the home improvement space, providing homeowners a soothing sanctuary right on their own property. Driven by the need for peaceful escapes to balance stressful lives, people are creating these sophisticated spaces for enjoying time with family and friends. Homeowners are thinking beyond the barbeque and incorporating cozy outdoor fireplaces, handy kitchen appliances like beverage refrigerators, and to truly relax and recharge, a hot tub or swimming pool. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Upgrading with swimming pools or hot tubs not only provides for a relaxing private oasis without having to pay astronomical prices to reach your destination, but it is also a smart investment," says Bill Weber, president and CEO of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). "Due to the state of the economy, many homeowners are opting to stay in their homes, and are making improvements to enhance the space they live in and enrich their family life. These are considered long-term investments, as opposed to a vacation that comes and goes." </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/16b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/16b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Although economic uncertainty and high driving costs may curtail that originally planned road trip, there is no reason to melt away the idea of enjoying a summer of fun. Now is the time to make an intelligent investment and create a summer vacation without leaving your own home. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For more information, visit www.APSP.org.</p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"></span></p>