Sunday Travel Funnies: Gas and Gigglesby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 29 Jun 2008 02:25 PM Yesterday my best friend called from Hawaii to inform me that a gallon of regular unleaded gas has now reached $4.50 in our hometown (that, and her son broke his arm at a local playground). The record breaking price of fuel is no laughing matter for families who live on a fixed income, but what might get a few giggles is the way some folks have been dealing with the financial burden. For example, in Arlington, Washington, staff members at a local dental office are switching from four wheels to four legs to save money on gas. According to reports, when the price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel hit $4, the staff at Dr. Keith Leonard's office decided it was time to pony up. Last week more than half of the dental assistants and office staff saddled up on their own horses and rode into to work. Local papers say ten members of the dental team rode horses while two others pedaled bicycles along a four-mile stretch from a park-and-ride lot to their office. The group got permission from city officials (Arlington is located about 50 miles north of Seattle) to ride their one-horse power "vehicles" to work. Leonard said the ride was a way to encourage his patients to use alternative forms of transportation. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati a computer error caused many motorists to slow down around one local service station last week. Not only did they slow down, but hundreds of them came to a screeching halt and waited in lines that stretched for miles just so they could fill their tanks with gas priced at $1.40 per gallon. The gas should have been selling for $4.10, but a computer glitch lowered the price and station employees couldn't get in touch with anyone who could fix the problem. Consequently, a major traffic jam clogged the area around the Marathon station in suburban Sycamore Township for roughly three hours last Tuesday, until sheriff's deputies finally persuaded station employees to shut it down. Some motorists told local news reporters that they waited in line for more than two hours to take advantage of the unexpected deal. Related Articles: Travel Tales: Kids Rebel Against High Gas Prices It's a Gas---Even More Hotels Helping You Save This Summer It's a Gas---Hotels Helping You Save This Summer: Go West It's a Gas---Hotels Helping You Save This Summer Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways Saving Money While Celebrating the Fourth with Family on the Road Family-Friendly Summer Travel Bargains Summer Travel 2008-Gas Tank Getaways Part 2 Summer Travel 2008--Gas Tank Getaways Summer Travel: Unique Ways to Save Money on Gas Saving on Summer Travel-It is Possible Part 2 Saving on Summer Travel--It is Possible Kid-Friendly Hotels Getting Friendlier Fueling Your Summer Vacation with Gas Savers Save Money on Gas---Buy a New Car Saving on Summer Travel: Take the Bus Does "E" Really Mean Your Car is Empty? Do You Visit Gas Tracker Sites? The Great American Gas Out Fizzles Out Pop Quiz: Test Your Fuel Savings IQ Want To Save Money At The Pump? LOSE WEIGHT! Preparing For Your Road Trip: Part 1 Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags gas, gas station, horses, saving gas, Travel Discuss this article
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