Friday December 22nd 2023

The day began cloudy and dull. As the day progressed toward sunset, the sky got progressively brighter only to be replaced by darkness as the sun set. The temperature peaked in the mid seventies.

I made another enjoyable visit to Bennett park this morning. It wasn’t as busy today. Everyone seemed to be on the roads. I made the mistake of not going straight home after the park visit. Traffic was very heavy on all the roads. I thought it would be busy near shopping areas so I avoided those areas, but all the roads were busy. Today was the first day of winter break for most of the schools in the area. Some kids had all week off and return to school on the second. Those that started their break today seem to be out until January 8th.

Gas prices are also way up for the holiday weekend. When I departed the Orlando area last Sunday, the most common low price was $2.549 a gallon. Arriving in the Bradenton area the low prices were $2.699 a gallon. Different distribution methods and higher county taxes probably account for the difference. On Monday prices in this area had already gone up to $2.759 a gallon. As the week went by I watch the price go up to $2.959 a gallon. Today the average low price seemed to be $3.159 a gallon. Is it supply and demand or just gouging?

The reservation web site says this park is full tonight, but as I completed by second walk of the day as darkness arrived there were still empty sites. That has been my general observation all week. The sites seem to be booked and thus most likely paid for, but unoccupied. I don’t really understand. Something is broken in the process.