'When we want to go, we go' (2024)

Former Orangeburg City councilman Dr. Everette Salley and hiswife Susan have enjoyed the past nine years of retirement travelingthe West Coast, East Coast and the Great Lakes area and camping atvarious locales.

The couple have traveled to Alaska twice and are planning athird trip there next summer.

This summer, "if nothing significant happens," will find theSalleys making a trek up to northern Michigan, the Great Lakes areaand into Canada.

It will not be the first time the couple have visited the U.S.neighbors to the north.

Nova Scotia and Newfoundland as well as Maine have also been ontheir globe-trotting itinerary.

And, Salley says he does not plan to stop traveling with hisfifth-wheel camper in tow because of rising gasoline and dieselprices.

"I have not had a reason to cut back at this point," Salleysaid. "I have not changed my plans yet but that does not mean theywon't (change). It just makes us uncomfortable and unhappy."

Salley said when pulling his camper, he gets about 11 to 12miles per gallon doing about 60 mph. When he hits 70 mph, the mpggoes down to about nine. To fill up his 30-gallon tank, Salley saysit can take anywhere between $50-$60.

Rising gas prices on top of about $20 to $40 to stay at acampground overnight can prove costly. But, Salley said he has notseen any noticeable cutbacks on travel as campgrounds continue tobe full.

One silver lining for the Salleys is that the couple don't haveto pay for lodging and meals.

"We do most of our eating in our kitchen," Salley said. "Thatsaves us a quite a bit."

Phil Tyler, owner of B&J Ice Co. and Culler Poultry Co, ownsa 32-foot fifth-wheel camper and travels to neighboring states suchas North Carolina about four times a year.

Because of work and school, Tyler said his family does nottravel long distances, but he noted that high diesel prices havenot curtailed their travel. Tyler says that when hauling thecamper, he makes about 10 mpg.

"I don't like it, but when we want to go, we go and do it," hesaid, noting, however, that this attitude may change when prices goabove $3 a gallon. "When it gets up there, I may have to thinktwice about it."

In the interim, Tyler said on a day-to-day basis the family hasbegun to car-pool and consolidate trips to help reduce fuelcosts.

"When I bought the diesel (truck), that is when it (prices)changed," Tyler said, laughing. "I think it is my fault."

Salley and Tyler seem to serve as an example of other RV ownersthroughout the country.

Rising fuel costs do not seem to have changed recreationalhabits.

This was confirmed just last week at Family Motor CoachAssociation's 77th International Convention in Georgia as about20,000 motor-home owners gathered to see the latest in themotor-home market.

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, which represents550 manufacturers and suppliers, has been reporting record sales inrecent years. Sales are expected to dip a little this year. But,despite that, 2007 still looks to be the fourth best in the past 30years, company officials say.

Experts cite favorable interest rates, the success of anindustry program to attract younger buyers and a switch from flyingto other modes of vacation travel since the Sept. 11, 2001,terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, the least expensive regular unleaded, self-servegasoline sold for $2.379 a gallon at the Hot Spot on John C.Calhoun Drive.

Gasoline prices averaged $2.43 a gallon for regular unleaded,self-serve at the stations surveyed. This is nine cents higher thanaverage for the same stations surveyed three weeks ago.

Gasoline prices hit a two-year low in January before beginning asteady increase over the last month and a half.

According to www.southcarolinagasprices.com — which allowsmotorists to post and view recent retail gasoline prices in theirregion — the least expensive regular unleaded, self-serve gasolinein the state sold for $2.28 at Murphy USA gas station in SumterFriday morning.

The most expensive gasoline sold for $2.63 at a BP in Bluffton.The price was updated through Friday morning.

Diesel prices were averaging about 20 to 30 cents more thangasoline.

Statewide, according to the same Web site, gasoline prices areup about 20 cents from a month ago and up seven cents from a yearago.

South Carolina gas prices are averaging about $2.45 agallon.

Nationally, gasoline prices are up 16 cents from a year ago.

With current refinery problems, forecasts for an activehurricane season along the Gulf Coast region — known for itsrefineries, off loading terminals and drilling operations — andongoing geopolitical problems the U.S. is having with Iran andVenezuela, some experts see prices potentially rising well into the$3-range before the end of the summer.

Regular unleaded, self-serve gasoline prices at selectedOrangeburg stations

Friday morning:

* Hot Spot, John C. Calhoun Drive: $2.379

* Li'l Cricket Valero on U.S. 601: $2.399

* Henry's SOC, U.S. 301/John C. Calhoun Drive: $2.399

* Dodges Store, U.S. 301 and Cannon Bridge Road: $2.399

* Sunoco A Plus, U.S. 21 and U.S. 21 Bypass: $2.419

* 4-Way Stop, Magnolia Street and U.S. 178: $2.429

* Exxon, Charleston Highway: $2.429

* Gaz-bah Exxon, Chestnut Street and Ellis Street: $2.439

* BP Quick Pantry, Magnolia Street and U.S. 178: $2.439

* College Corner All American Gas, corner of Magnolia Street andS.C. Highway

33: $2.449

* Murphy U.S.A., North Road Plaza in front of Wal-Mart:$2.459

* BP Shop, U.S. 301 and Elliott Street: $2.459

* Sunoco Quick Pantry, Boulevard Street and Carolina Avenue:$2.459

* Citgo Fast Mart, U.S. 601 and Old St. Matthews Road:$2.459

* Shell Food Mart, Boulevard Street and St. Matthews Road:$2.459

* Shell Quick Pantry, at the intersection of Chestnut andBroughton Street:

$2.459

* Saimart Exxon, Whittaker Parkway near U.S 21 and U.S. 33:$2.459

* Citgo, Charleston Highway: $2.469

* Horizon E-Z Shop, Old St. Matthews Road: $2.479

* Shell Quick Pantry, U.S. 301 and Broughton Street: $2.479