Gas prices not slowing tourists

Four-dollar gas prices are not enough to slow traffic into Lake Havasu City. That’s according to the crowd packed into the Bridgewater Channel over the July Fourth holiday weekend.

“We’re not going to let gas prices control our lives,” said Eric Rudd, of Riverside, Calif.

The overwhelming majority of those contact by Today’s News-Herald Saturday were from Southern California, generally a “one-tank trip” as promoted by the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“It’s worth it,” said Amy Law, of San Diego. “Coming to Havasu is what I was looking forward to all winter.”

Law brought with a friend, Jessica Heller, making it Heller’s first time on the lake. Heller said she “loves it and I’m coming back next year.”

A number said they have vacation homes in the city and leave their boats here rather than tow from California, saving a substantial amount of money on gasoline.

“I own a Civic hybrid which I use to drive here,” said Marc Rinzler, of Winchester, Calif. “I leave my boat and a tow vehicle here so I’m not spending all that gas money on a large truck. Plus I save on storage fees with a house.”

Mark Barren, of Las Vegas, does the same thing, using his wife’s higher mileage car to drive to their vacation home here. “We come every weekend,” he said.

For those without a house here, Lake Havasu is still the place to be. That’s according to Nick Greco, of Cypress, Calif.

“Everybody is here, the water is perfect and it’s alway6s a good time. “Plus gas is cheaper in Arizona than it is in California.”

Kenny Epstein said the trip to Lake Havasu City allows him a “good time to spend with the kids,” while Danny Brown and Kimberlee Des Rosiers of Las Vegas said the atmosphere gives a welcome change of pace from their native Las Vegas.

“I’ve lived in Vegas all my life and seen too many people lose too much at the tables,” Brown said. “This is relaxing.”

“And it’s only a half-tank (of gas) to get here,” Des Rosiers added.

Bryan Brooks of Hermosa Beach, Calif., said it wasn’t gasoline prices but time that prevented him from coming to Lake Havasu City as often as he and his family would like. “It’s always a great scene here.”

But it was Colin Maxwell of Riverside, Calif. that said he had the simplest solution to getting to Lake Havasu City and saving on gas. “I’m not driving and I’m not paying for the gas.”

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.