Take a vacation from inauguration
Some Washington, D.C. residents are trying to leave town before millions flood the city for the Obama inauguration. For the tourist-weary, vacation resorts are running special getaways. John Dimsdale reports.
Workers build a scaffolding at the construction site of the inaugural stand on the west side of the U.S. Capitol (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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TEXT OF STORY
Scott Jagow: Authorities in Washington, DC are warning people to stock up on emergency provisions. They might not be able to leave the house. Not, it's not a snowstorm. It's the Obama inauguration. With four million visitors coming into town, going anywhere will be a hassle. So, some people who live in DC. have decided to leave. Here's John Dimsdale.
John Dimsdale: For Tucker Bounds, the third week of January is no time to stay home in Washington.
Tucker Bounds: I'll be able to avoid crowds, throngs of people flowing through the streets and difficult places to park.
Bounds was a campaign spokesman for presidential candidate John McCain. He's planning to take a break from his job search and spend some quality time in south Florida.
Bounds: It's a good time -- as good a time as any -- for Republicans to take advantage of some vacation.
To attract business from folks looking to avoid a city that promises to be, shall we say, over-taxed, ski slopes in the region are offering special Inaugural Escape packages. And seven resorts on Florida's Amelia Island are cutting rates from 20 to 45 percent for D.C.-area residents looking for a "vacation from inauguration."
Shannon Tidball: There has been a ton of interest. Our hits on our Web site have way more than doubled.
Shannon Tidball is co-owner of the Addison B&B on Amelia Island. A former D.C. resident, she attended George W. Bush's first Inaugural on the National Mall.
Tidball: It's really hard to see. It's much easier to watch on TV.
Especially with a sunny beach right outside. And Tidball says there's one other attraction for those thinking of getting out of D.C.:
Tidball: This particular county is very Republican.
In Washington, I'm John Dimsdale for Marketplace.
Comments
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From Bethesda, MD, 01/08/2009
Great story.
However, my wife and I were surprised to find that there was no mention of many DC residents having these vacations paid for by renting their homes for thousands of dollars to non locals for the event.
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