It's back to school for most this week and time to think about that obligatory essay question: "What did you do on your summer vacation?"

We asked residents of neighborhoods of the Route 19 corridor and found that this summer, for many, ''vacation" morphed into "stay-cation.''

Blame the economy for our newly cautious ways: The rising cost of fuel affects everything we do.

Here are some responses from your neighbors as we get ready for one last blast of summer this long Labor Day weekend.

"I'm taking a 'stay-cation' next month when we're going to visit all the cultural spots in the 'Burg: Places such as the Sen. John Heinz History Center, the Andy Warhol, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the like. We had planned to go to Chautauqua [an educational institute in southwestern New York state] but the cost of gas for our type of vehicle put that trip on the back burner."

-- Jeff Smith, 55, Peters, owner of Imagines Restaurant in Upper St. Clair

"The high cost of fuel most certainly factored into my family's summer activities. We stayed closer to home. Our cars run on diesel fuel and as one knows, it costs significantly more than gasoline.

"Economically, it certainly was a worse summer than normal, as the cost of just about everything has skyrocketed. But personally, summer with my family was delightful, no matter that we stayed close to home."

-- Karen Burns, 55, Peters, a designer with Vance Wright Adams & Associates

"I never fill up my gas tank anymore. This year I loved being in my garden and spending time biking on the Montour and Youghiogheny trails."

-- Shirley Unatin, 59, Upper St. Clair, retired

"I spent time and money to travel for a month in India this summer. My dollar went further there. [The U.S. dollar is worth about 44 Indian rupees.] Even though the dollar is down overseas against the euro, things are still affordable in India."

-- Chris Turnbaugh, 47, South Fayette, an agent with Howard Hanna real estate office in Mt. Lebanon

"I golfed a lot and hung out with friends. The economy didn't interfere with that. It was a summer like any other."

-- Giles Howard, 19, Mt. Lebanon, student at the University of Pittsburgh

"The economy didn't necessary affect me, I was just too busy to vacation this year. We added an extra dining room in the restaurant and that kept me very busy. If you give people good service and good value, they will continue to frequent your restaurant."

-- Frank Sam, co-owner of Atria's restaurant, Peters

"Strains on the economy mean that people tip less. It also hit me when I flew to the Jersey shore and my plane ticket was more than usual and the airlines also charged me $15 for a bag."

-- Jamie Straight, 22, Heidelburg, a waitress at Joe Mama's in Oakland

"I traveled only once to Lancaster County to visit my grandchildren. In previous years I would have gone five times over the summer, but the cost of gas has really impacted me.

"Also, the cost of pet care has really gone up. I have trained animals that I take to schools, nursing homes and hospitals, teaching folks how to be safe with pets. Right now the cost of pet care keeps me from vacationing. Pet food has gone up 50 percent. Care and medicine for animals has gone up.''

-- Marsha Robbins, 59, Brookline, an educator for Western Pennsylvania Humane Society

"It was the worst summer ever. Both my parents lost their jobs. I stayed home and hung out with friends. Still, we went to the pool and Kennywood."

-- Nikki Pappas, 23, Mt. Lebanon, assistant to the director of The Grand Residence in Upper St. Clair

"I just returned from Toronto, Canada, this morning. A friend was driving there so I tagged along. It was fun. We met up with his family and friends for barbecues."

-- Tim Newhouse, 24, Dormont, prescription benefits manager for CVS Caremark

"I took a trip to Baltimore with friends. We split the costs of gas and hotel. I made do with the situation, so the summer was fine."

-- Mark Pulka, 19, Beechview, unemployed

-- Compiled by Dev Meyers