For years, Loretta and Gene Ferry, of Versailles, vacationed once in the summer and once in the autumn. Typically they would go to resorts in the states or in the Caribbean.

But not this year.

"We'll be staying home," said Mrs. Ferry, 71, a retired nurse. She admits the couple is conserving money during these tough economic times.

This is the first official week of summer and, accordingly, we asked some residents of the South Hills to share their vacation plans, or lack of in these days of recession and rising gas prices. This week the average price at the pump was $2.68, compared to $2.35 a month ago.

Retiree Pat Brown's answer to coping with tough times this summer is the so-called "stay-cation."

"It's a day trip, for example, to The Meadows to save money," Mrs. Brown, 70, of Versailles said.

Another homebody this summer will be Robert Frankenberry, 62, of West Homestead, a retired contractor.

He and his wife usually fly to Florida to vacation on property they own. But this year because of the economy, as well as the fact they have to care for a family member, he said they will discover the joys of their own backyard.

Not everyone is content with the local scenery.

Chuck Barkey, 33, of Whitehall, said he planned a trip to Costa Rica "before the economy fell apart."

A friend was getting married and, in place of a typical bachelor party, friends wanted to surf in an island paradise.

"When you have a trip planned to Costa Rica, what's a little recession?" asked the advertising copywriter.

Despite the headlines, Jeff Bires, manager of group sales at Century Worldview Travel, in West Mifflin, said area residents planning trips for this spring and early summer made for "a great [season] so far."

He said that the leisure business is up from a year ago.

Mr. Bires also said that the top destinations year-round for vacationers remain: Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas. He said the popularity of Vegas, is due, ironically, to the economy.

"Prices are lower this year," he said.

Vacationers are also hitting the highways this season, said Bevi Powell, director of communications for AAA East Central, which includes an Upper St. Clair office.

The top five driving destinations from Pittsburgh, based on AAA members' requested information, are the Outer Banks of North Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; a tie between Wilmington Beach, Delaware and the Crystal beaches below the Outer Banks; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Ocean City, Maryland.

A national survey on Memorial Day travel revealed a 1.5 percent increase in travel on the holiday as compared to last year.

"Memorial Day is usually a pretty good indicator of how summer travel will progress," Ms. Powell said.

For the Flahertys, of Mt. Lebanon, theirs is a mixed marriage when it comes to how best to spend leisure time.

Marty Flaherty, 70, said he will be staying put "because I have discipline and will be watching my dollars and cents."

But his wife, Judy, answers the call of adventure.

A frequent overseas traveler, Mrs. Flaherty will be returning to Poland in September to revisit a religious shrine.

"I think one of us has to stop, but as long as I'm still working 80 hours a week, I don't think it will be me," said the plumber.