Bought the tickets for our trip to Michigan in September.  We were going to borrow a friend's RV but with gas going up it's no longer an economical option.  Essentially 2400 miles round trip at 10 mpg = 240 gallons of gas * $4/gallon = $960.  Even if you low ball it at $3/gallon that's $720, plus it takes 2 days each way which requires a stop at a camp site, RV park, etc.  I got three airline tickets for $696 nonstop from DFW to DTW.  We've got a friend that is going to take care of our pets, so that part won't be an issue either.  We'll rent a car  when we get to Michigan, but that should be reasonable considering it won't be a holiday time.  The trip is nearly 5 months away so by the time the trip comes we won't even think too much about cost considering I paid cash for the tickets up front today.  Our Vegas trip was like that too where we got the airfare and hotel paid for in advance, so when the trip comes we can just go have a good time.

In hockey news Detroit and Dallas both won their series today in the first round of the playoffs.  I'm happy for both teams, as Detroit is really my favorite, but Dallas is the team in my town.  Both teams are playing well and have a good chance at going all the way.  If they both win the next round they'll play each other, which would be very cool.  Elizabeth has been watching a lot of the games with me too, which is also a very cool thing.  I haven't watched much hockey this season, so it's nice to be able to watch the playoffs.  One really cool thing about Detroit and Dallas winning is that they are both puck possession and finesse teams and the teams they beat tend to be a bit goonish and like to just run into people, take cheap shots and hurt people.  Chris Pronger, who plays for Anaheim, is a thug and nothing makes me happier than to see him lose.  Go Wings!  Go Stars!