July 3, 2009 Maine tourists optimistic for holiday weekend Play video

(NECN: Marnie MacLean, York, Maine) – The Maine Turnpike Authority expects forty-five thousand cars will cross through the York toll plaza this holiday weekend. That’s more than last year, when gas prices were over four dollars a gallon.

But lower gas prices aren't enough to bring people to Maine. Mother Nature needs to find her way back to Vacationland.

"Look at that, should we cook it up for dinner?"

A lobster...that's a pretty good find when you're beach combing. This is where the Melusen family from Virginia plans to spend a lot of time in the next week.

They've been saving for this trip to Maine and sun or no sun the vacation must go on.

Gary Melusen: "We planned for six months, going to make the best of regardless of the weather."

At the Union Bluff Hotel in York, bookings look good for the weekend, in large part thanks to a lot of repeat business.

Suan Iannonne--Hamden, CT: "We've been coming for years, love the town and the beach"

The ocean is what drew these Vermonters to Maine too. But for the McCarthy's this was a spur of the moment decision...and cloudy skies didn't matter.

Michael McCarthy, Georgia, VT: "No the weather doesn't bother us over here, whatever it does we love coming to the ocean"

But they are the exception; most last minute travelers do pay attention to the forecast and if the sun isn't shining, they aren't coming"

At the Surface shop near York beach, lines would normally

Andrew: "Everyone thinks it's the economy, but it's the weather that's killing business"

At the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Elaine Burnham sometimes feels more like a meteorologist than a guide—most callers are interested in one thing...what's the weather?

Elaine Burnham: "If they're going to spend money they'd like to have decent weather"

Elaine says she's always honest....and lately, the truth has hurt---mostly Maine’s tourism business.

But a break in the clouds and a more optimistic weekend forecast might be just what visitors need to hop in their cars and make the trip north to Vacationland.

If you go to York, look for Trevor...he's pretty good at finding free lobsters!