Get Packin'

The saying, where does the time go certainly applies when looking back at our travel blog.  While researching topics to blog about, we might take the cue from our readers, a specific location, special events that have yet to take place or upcoming holidays.  Before we know it the present and future have become the past.  We try to provide our readers with timely information, and when that is not possible then we do the next best thing, blog about how great the event was.  Our ultimate desire is to provide blogs of interest that are entertaining as well.  So, where do we go from here?

Wherever your and our travels take us – that is our destination!  We hope you will join us as we traverse the far corners of the world, or even our very own back yard, for there is always a story of interest out there.

So, as we say goodbye to 2010, and get ready to herald in the New Year 2011, we leave you with a little reflection of the blogs that appeared throughout 2010 on www.Get-Packin’.com

Year of the Tiger - Flickr photo by Nomadiq Miles

Following January is February, the shortest month of the year, where we heard the thunder of the Daytona 500, reflected on Black History Month, travelled to many places to compare religious architecture, and 2010 being the year of the Tiger brought forth some interesting facts about the Chinese Zodiac.

In March, guest blogger, Jennifer K, wrote of her trip to India to attend an authentic Indian wedding.  Not only did she bring back a wonderful story to share, she also brought back a lot of great photos of India and the wedding festivities, including a photo of the Taj Mahal. 

Texas Bluebonnets - Flickr photo by longhorndave

We couldn’t speak of March without at least mentioning March madness and basketball, before we brought forth the beauty of the flowering fields of Texas as we discussed flower and garden shows aplenty during April. 

Our travels took us into outer space during the month of May when we showcased the Space Shuttle Discovery crew and NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson.  After hurtling through space we brought everyone back down to earth for more thrills on Kinga Ka, Tower of Terror, Son of Beast and the Colossus; known to roller coaster enthusiasts as the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world during the month of June, before we exploded fireworks galore in celebration of our nations birthday on the 4th of July.

Ruby Falls - Flickr photo by robert-b1

The dog days of August had us meandering through “cool” caves in our quest to beat the hot sultry days of summer, and nostalgia as well as educational tourist venues had us visiting popular antique car shows and unique ‘small’ museums during the month of September.

Brooklyn Bridge - Flickr photo by francisco-diez

Speaking of things that go bump in the night had us scaring up business when October rolled around, getting an oil change and highlighting America’s Top Ten Safest Cities for tourism.  As we began winding down 2010, November had us hunting up things to do with scruffy looking men sporting scraggily beards, looking in our rear view mirror at America’s beautiful horizons, and talking turkey.

We wished you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and now it is time to say goodbye to 2010, and shout a resounding HAPPY NEW YEAR, as we turn the calendar pages to 2011!

Whie House Christmas tree by Jay Tamboli

So when did the origin of the Christmas tree begin?  It is said that back in the 7^th Century, a Devonshire monk named St. Boniface was sent to Germany to teach the word of God.  St. Boniface used the triangular shape of a Fir tree as a representation of the Holy Trinity of God, thus the Fir tree became God’s tree and eventually was hung upside down from the ceiling.  This gesture and the Fir tree thereby represented Christianity. 

Cowboy Christmas tree by elvissa

It wasn’t until the 16^th century though that the decorated Christmas tree surfaced, when Martin Luther placed candles upon the tips of a tree and lit them to demonstrate to his children how the stars might twinkle on a darkened night.  Candles however were a fire hazard and were often placed in wooden hoops for safety, especially in the 1840’s in Germany where “fine beaded decorations and tinsel angels” found their way onto Christmas trees.  By the 1870’s glass ornaments from Britain became popular, and then the electric light bulb was invented.

New York City Bloomberg Tower Christmas tree by Rob Boudon

 In 1882, when the custom of using electric lights began, an associate of Thomas Edison, hand wired red, white and blue bulbs, winding them around an Evergreen tree located in the parlor of his home in New York City, but the popularity of lit Christmas trees didn’t happen until President Grover Cleveland, in 1895, commissioned for more than 100 multi-colored light bulbs to be placed on an enormous Evergreen tree for the White House. 

 “Soon members of high society were hosting Christmas tree lighting parties.”

Decorating for Christmas brings to mind the many wonderful Christmas displays in small and big town America.  To find out the Top Ten “Christmas towns in America” you might want to visit http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/bestchristmastowns.html, although, here’s a brief summary of America’s best . . .

Christmas store front - Old Towne Alexandria - by cliff1066

Crowned the ultimate holiday town USA, by the A&E Network and coming in at #1 is Leavenworth, Washington, which ‘transforms itself into a virtual snow globe,” but #2, Durango, Colorado, might just be the favorite of big and little kids everywhere with their real live Polar Express where everyone climbs aboard in PJ’s to visit the North Pole some 30 miles away in the snowy Rocky Mountains.

“Romantic, Magical and Historic” is how #3 is described.  The quaint village of Woodstock, Vermont, comes to life during December with its 19^th Century Christmas celebration, medieval banquet, and Christmas festivities of all types.  Not far from Woodstock is #4, Kennebunkport, Maine, where the annual Christmas tree lighting kicks off a host of holiday activities including the arrival of Santa Claus in a Lobster Boat.

Perhaps one of the most unusual heralding in of Christmas events takes place in #5, Mountain View, Arkansas, with caroling in the caves.  Located in Blanchard Spring Caverns is a huge amphitheatre, where the “sound is incredible!”  You can also enjoy home-made corn shuck angels and ornaments made from spools, both popular Christmas decorations in small town Mountain View.

Aurora Borialis seen in North Pole - Flickr photo by beverlypack

There really is a North Pole Virginia!  It’s located in Alaska, and that is where #6 displays Christmas year-round.  If Alaska’s too far and too cold, then you might want to visit #7, Alexandria, Virginia, where you can participate in the Scottish Walk Weekend, now in its 38^th year.

 Just a short freezing 20 minute ride aboard a ferry will get you to Mackinac Island, Michigan, where BRRRR, you can only get around by horse and buggy, the same as they did 100 years ago, and even today, Santa will visit each and every child (part of the 500 population on Mackinac Island) to hear their Christmas wish.

Anyone for Christmas, New Orleans style?  Voted #9, New Orleans boasts of their twinkling lights, streetcars decorated with Christmas garlands, wrought iron balconies dressed in holly, meandering historical characters and all the great music and food New Orleans is known for.  But, not to be outdone, a little southwest of the border is #10, San Antonio, Texas, wrapping up the Top Ten . . . where River Walk sparkles that much more.  Imagine 40 decorated Christmas trees, eating tamales instead of turkey and participating in “La Gran Posada” a moving reenactment of the first Christmas Eve.

Flickr photo by guy schmidt

Whatever you do this Christmas, take time to visit your decorated town hall, city square, downtown area, and any place meant to bring a little holiday cheer.  In ending, may we wish you happy holidays!

Heralding in a new Holiday Shopping Season - Christmas Tree in front of Macy's - Flickr photo by Pravin-kumar

What a familiar statement that is.  Not to worry as there are numerous shopping opportunities; what with mega malls, discount outlet shopping centers, strip malls with large department stores and discount stores galore in most every city around.  If you are like many folks and simply don’t want to fight the crowds or just get out, you can turn on the tube and seek out gifts for everyone on Home Shopping Network and QVC or other similar TV shopping networks.  Plus, technology has pushed the envelope when it comes to shopping on the Internet.  New or used, you name it and you can find it on a variety of websites.

Some of our readers will remember planned shopping excursions, where for weeks you mapped out your trip to the big city to buy Christmas gifts.  It normally required an overnight stay in a hotel or nearby inn and often included a special meal at your favorite out-of-town restaurant.  Up early in the morning to beat the crowds with a shop until you drop attitude . . . then laden with gifts galore you return to your home-away-from -home; tired, but pleased that you found that special gift for Aunt Mary, Cousin Jane and Grandpa.

Going to the big city for shopping was a treat - Flickr photo of Washington, DC at Christmastime by ktlerconk

Part of the phenomenon of Christmas shopping from afar was the gaiety of sparkling tinsel and twinkling lights, seeing a larger than life Christmas tree and simply being part of the bustling Christmas shopping crowd.

Today, there are more reasons to leave the sofa or laptop to shop – mega malls are not just filled with retail establishments but many house amusement parks, hotels, and are considered tourist destinations.  Here are some stats when it comes to these mega shopping opportunities.  Eight of the 10 largest malls in the world are located in Asia, so if you really want a shopping experience of a life time you might want to travel to Dongguan, China, where the South China Mall is said to be the largest mall in the world.  This mall has it all; a replica of France’s Arc de Triomphe, working wind mills, a theme park, and has a whopping 7.1 million square feet of space to its name. 

If you want to ride the waves or experience the thrill of a towering roller coaster, then Cevahir Istanbul in Turkey is the place to go.  Considered the largest mall in Europe, Cevahir features a wave pool, roller coaster and several IMAX theatres plus a bevy of shops to meet the needs of even the most persnickety shopper.

Rollercoaster shown is in the West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada - Wikimedia photo

Mall of America, Flickr photo by cliff1066

For those U.S. shoppers who want to be a little closer to home, then the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada might just be the ticket for the whole family.  With 3.8 million square feet of shopping and entertainment space, including a casino, skating rink, water park, a petting zoo and other attractions, this mega mall rivals some of the best and largest.  Let’s not forget the Mall of America, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where forty million visitors a year visit to shop at more than 500+ stores, visit the Underwater Aquarium Adventure, Lego Imagination Center and Dinosaur Walk Museum or party hardy in one of their seven nightclubs.

The town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Flickr photo by Alaskan Dude

Lifesize nutcracker in Rothenburg Christmas Store - Flickr photo by Alaskan Dude

Not into mega malls, and simply want to get caught up in the spirit of Christmas?  Dating all the way back to the 14^th century is Germany’s Christkindlmarkt experience; a must do and see in towns like Dresden and Nuremberg.   Also, the Medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is famous for its Weihnachtsmarkt.  Even if you don’t buy a thing, just touring this romantic town, whose history goes back as far as 970 AD, with its uneven cobblestone streets, aged half-timbered houses and an imposingly thick wall of stone that surrounds the city, will leave you with a feeling of good will and cheer.

Last but not least are those home-spun Christmas -bazaars, put on by churches and non-profit organizations galore, where crafters and artisans of all kinds put out their one-of-a-kind treasures or cloned home-made articles of all types.  You won’t want to miss these delightful, in-your-backyard shopping opportunities, where often times this is where you find that special gift found no where else. 

Happy holidays everyone – and happy shopping to you!