The last time I saw this much traffic on the roads of northern California was just before they pulled the rug out from underneath our economy in 2008. You would have never guessed, considering the full campgrounds, hotels and motels that prices for everything were rising, led by gasoline at the pumps. You would never know that some of the same ominous signs which preceded the last plunge are showing today.
Housing starts are heading downward; only apartment dwellings are on the positive side. The economy shrunk by almost 3% in the first quarter of 2014, a very ominous sign. While unemployment is down, employment is also down; at least 12% of the country's work force is out of work. U.S. business investment was off in the first quarter. Granted, there were some positive sides to the economic news, but the real indicator is that economists were somewhat surprised at housing starts and gross domestic product.
It could well be that the surge in travel over the 4th of July was due to the "last chance syndrome," where Americans size up the economy, international affairs and the general direction of the country and decide this may well be their "last chance" to get away for many months, or years to come.
That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully submitted.
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