Take a vacation from inauguration
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.
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