Where are you headed this weekend? Or are you going against the trend and staying home for the holiday? According to an article I read on forbes.com yesterday, 43 million Americans will travel this weekend, either by car, plane or train. With those numbers, who could blame people for wanting to stay home and avoid the traffic?

At the same time, however, who wouldn’t want to kick off summer with a change of scenery and a bit of relaxation? I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. I’ve spent many a Memorial Day Weekend at the Jersey shore (practically a rite of passage growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs), I’ve hopped on planes to visit friends in Colorado and Connecticut for the holiday, and I’ve stayed home, enjoying all the treasures my local neighborhood offers. Last year was a local year; as I’d traveled so much leading up to the holiday, staying home felt like the luxury option.

This year, I’m heading north to the Poconos. Rather than sandy shores, the rambling creek and mountains will ring in the start to summer for me. Enjoy the holiday, and share with us all your plans for summer travel by emailing letters@globaltravelerusa.com.

— Kim Krol, editor in chief