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Inflation may throw ice on summer funSubscriber Exclusive

Will higher costs cause some Clark County residents to scale back plans?

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Customers pick up fresh flowers at the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Inflation this summer may impact local families’ plans, such as traveling, sporting events and gardening. At top, a sign advertises gas prices near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Customers pick up fresh flowers at the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Inflation this summer may impact local families’ plans, such as traveling, sporting events and gardening. At top, a sign advertises gas prices near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Customers stop by the gas station near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek to fill up their tanks Monday morning. Gas prices were up nearly 30 percent in April compared with the previous year, according to the latest Seattle-area consumer price index.

Customers stop by the gas station near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek to fill up their tanks Monday morning. Gas prices were up nearly 30 percent in April compared with the previous year, according to the latest Seattle-area consumer price index.

Customers stop by the gas station near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek to fill up their tanks Monday morning. Inflation this summer may impact local families’ plans, such as traveling, sporting events and gardening. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Customers stop by the gas station near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek to fill up their tanks Monday morning. Inflation this summer may impact local families’ plans, such as traveling, sporting events and gardening. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

A sign advertises gas prices near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Gas prices were up nearly 30 percent in April compared with the previous year, according to the latest Seattle-area consumer price index. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

A sign advertises gas prices near the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Gas prices were up nearly 30 percent in April compared with the previous year, according to the latest Seattle-area consumer price index. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

A pedestrian walks past fresh flowers for sale at the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Gardening is one of many recreational activities that has seen prices increase compared with last year. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

A pedestrian walks past fresh flowers for sale at the Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek on Monday morning. Gardening is one of many recreational activities that has seen prices increase compared with last year. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Looking forward to those summer cookouts or a road trip in honor of America’s 250th birthday? Both, along with many summer essentials, will likely cost you more this year.

Inflation nationally was up nearly 4 percent in April compared with last spring. The Seattle-area consumer price index, which tracks inflation more locally, was up even higher at almost 5 percent. High gas prices are a particular concern, making travel more costly while also having trickle-down effects on other goods.

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