In our travels we have seen many feed lots where beef was being fattened for market. This is a feed lot that has thousands of Holstein cows, apparently from local dairies that are too old to produce milk efficiently or as a result of the slow down in the market as a result of tight money. I assume that these will be sold as "cutters and caners" on the auction market.
It is obvious that the slow down in business is hurting all segments of business. We have noticed several fast food facilities that are now vacant. One of the local Radio Shack stores has closed in the last week or so. We see that the auto parts stores are doing better than normal business, as more people are making their own repairs to save money. The cost of fuel is still below $2.00/gal so people are still traveling, but as money gets tighter I am sure that all traveling will slow to only necessary trips to the store, etc.
As far as RV travel is concerned, I think that it will be a very efficient way to live if you do not travel too much. You can stay in lots of places for $10 to $12 per night and stay many places for less than that or even free in some areas. If you do not mind boon- docking, you can really save money. You have to eat, where ever you live and as long as you prepare your own meals and stay out of the restaurants, you can save money. You can eat out at several places with local coupons quite inexpensively. You just have to watch and take care to not get carried away with the coupon thing. Once in a while makes a nice change of pace.
We will be going on the road soon and we will be watching what we spend. Of course we have to have fuel,
but we will watch and buy fuel at the best price we can find and keep our camping expenses down as much as possible. We will take our time and pay attention to the local terrain and things to do that are free of charge. It will still cost the same amount of money per mile of travel, but we will spread it over more days and enjoy the trip more. After all, it is the opportunity to see this beautiful country that is important and not the fact that you made the trip in the shortest amount of time. It is really difficult to get out of the vacation mode. After all, what is the hurry.