Should be interesting to see how the economic troubles affect the RI beach scene. Lots of reports about beach resorts on the Jersey shore and NC losing business because of gas prices. On the other hand RI is relatively close to population centers and our fees are not high compared to other states. Might it be a case of Little Rhody booming at the expense of more expensive destinations? If so, you'll have to get up even earlier to get a parking spot at Scarborough these summer weekends. What's the status of summer rentals in South county? Are they going begging or are they unavailable or exhorbitantly priced?

When I was living in Northern RI I stopped going to Scarborough, Wheeler and Salty Brine beaches. The traffic on routes 1 and 4 were miserable stop-n-go to say the least taking about 1 ½ - 2 hours to get to beaches and parking was almost non-existent once you got to a beach and the beaches were not that clean.

I started going to the family run privately owned Breezy Acres water slides and beach park on a large freshwater lake in nearby MA. The ride was 30 min, parking was free, the bath house and hot shower facilities were excellent and clean, the picnic grounds, tables and beach areas were clean, plenty of lifeguards, great food court, arcade for kids and adult price was only $4 for the day with unlimited re-entry (picnic grounds, beach and bath house facilities).

Now living in Hawaii, state and all cities and counties have mandated all beaches in state are free including all hotel and private gated communities. There are free public rights of ways to beaches. All state and city beaches are manned by lifeguards, free parking, free showers, free bath houses, free picnic tables, trash receptacles and are regularly cleaned.

I notice where RI is charging between $6-$7 state residents for parking at the beach and $2 for a picnic table.

It has always bothered me as a resident to be required to pay for parking or to use a picnic table at a state owned beach or park.

I can get a season pass to all the Idaho State Parks for only $25, which includes free parking! Farragut State Park has a beautiful place to swim called Beaver Bay, on Lake Pend O'Reille, which is 65 miles long and 1100 feet deep --with a surface square mile measurement almost exactly the same as Narragansett Bay.

I doubt that the Town of Narragansett's practice of charging for beach access is legal. There has likely been a right of way to the water there for over a century.

Traffic heading to South County beaches along routes 1 and 4 just might start thinning out over the next few weeks and months making getting to the sea shore beaches a little easier.

Hawaii lost its title for highest gasoline prices in USA to Alaska, California and Connecticut. For what its worth as indicators of coming prices; in today’s Hawaii newspaper Lanai will hit $5 a gallon very shortly. Hana town gasoline on Friday was $4.74 a gallon. Molokai was $4.59 a gallon. Big Island of Hawaii was $4.32 and Oahu was $4.04 a gallon for regular unleaded self-serve. Diesel fuel is $5.21 average per gallon.

These are indicators that mainland or lower 48 states will be seeing $5 a gallon gasoline before end of summer and paying $6 for a gallon of gasoline before Thanksgiving.

Scarborough was not nearly as populated yesterday as I expected, nor was there much traffic. And it was beautiful until the wind kicked up 'round 3 or so.
Little too windy today - the price of gas is causing me (and I'll be willing to bet, others) to be a little more selective about making the trip to South County this year.