Travel Musings, Volume 3 – Resolution Time

You know what time it is – we’re almost to the end of the year where you look at your waistline and say, this is the year I’m going to lose ‘X’ amount of pounds. Or maybe your resolutions are focused on reading one or more of the classics or even the Bible.  One thing I love to do around this time of year is set a target of where I’d like to travel to in the year ahead.  These could be international trips, domestic trips, or even local sites that I’ve never seen before.

Making lists is fun.  Making travel lists is REALLY fun.  It really is a mini-bucket list albeit on a one-year timeline. I do know this – if you don’t write it down you’ll probably never do it. Not only does this apply to goals you have with your career or life, but travel especially. 

Zig Ziglar said it best – if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.  Developing your travel list is no different – if you have nothing to shoot for in places to see, you’ll be hard pressed to go see them.  So, looking forward as we inch closer to 2014, what is it going to be?  Have you always wanted to fly to London for a long weekend or take in the sights and sounds of New York during Christmas? Whatever it is, remember that the beginning starts with the end in mind so break the year up into quarters, plan a trip to a place where you want to go, and go do it.

Here’s to a blessed and fun 2014!

Christmas in the City!

Okay, up front, New York City is what you make of it and your experience depends on what you like and want to do. For us, visiting New York City during the Christmas season is one of the best times of the year to see the city. Whether it is visiting Rockefeller Center or saying a prayer inside of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the city is magical during the Christmas Season.

This go around we ventured around the city visiting spots we hadn’t seen on previous trips. This was the year that the NBC Studio Tours made the list of places to visit. Getting to see the set of Saturday Night Live was cool, especially as they we got to see the rehearsing for the upcoming Saturday night show [note: you can put yourself in a lottery in August each year for a shot at tickets for the upcoming season. Don’t get your hopes up though – you’ll have a 2% success rate for tickets as there are only 235 seats in the small theater!]. I’ll leave it up to you if you want to spend $24.00 to see one studio, but we were expecting a wee bit more.

After walking back from Rockefeller Center, we stumbled upon Bryant Park which was a surprising treat in the middle of the city. Located behind the New York Public Library, the Bryant Park Christmas Market rises up from the park from November 1^st through January 5^th and boasts 125 shops, an ice skating rink, and a rink-side restaurant called Celsius. The Park even has its own Christmas tree – a great spot to grab a snack, a cider, or even take your chances with a pair of skates.

Speaking of the New York Public Library – you’re probably thinking, a library on vacation?  For this one, the answer is yes, especially on a snowy Saturday in the middle of December. With marble and artwork throughout, it is a must see in the middle of the City. Be sure to check out the Rose Main Reading Room or look up when entering the Main Catalog Room where original artwork adorns the walls and ceiling. Browse through the halls and soak up a small exhibit or two. 

Overall, New York City is a special treat any time of year, but if you’ve never been during Christmas it is time to get it on your lists!

Visit to the Christmas Tree Farm!

A little over 20 miles from our house in the small town of Lovettsville, VA lies Milltown Creek Tree Farms - a self-described “Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm” on 100 acres in northwestern Loudoun County.  For the second year in a row, my wife and I made the trek out to this family run farm to search out our family Christmas tree.  For us, this is the way to go when going to pick out a Christmas tree!  Although, this isn’t as simple as showing up, picking one out, throwing it in your car, and driving off.  At Milltown Creek Tree Farm, you park your car, secure a saw and a red wagon, and walk off into the fields to find and cut down whatever tree is ‘the tree’ that will go up in your house for the Christmas season.   

After about an hour of walking the fields, we came upon the tree that now sits in our living room - with a few 'selfies’ with the tree, we sawed it down, placed it in the red wagon, and walked the half-mile back to the cashier.  Although, for whatever reason, it took slightly longer to saw down the tree this year compared to last year – I blame the cold weather.  J

Be sure to visit the little Christmas Tree store on the farm where you can buy Christmas wreaths, ornaments, and other Christmas accoutrements. You can also secure a  complimentary cup of hot apple cider before departing the farm with your tree in tow.  Overall, a great Christmas tradition to share with your loved ones each holiday season!!

Getting there: To get there from Leesburg, travel on Route 7 westbound, take the exit for route 9 west, travel 5 miles and make a right on 287 [Berlin Turnpike] – go 5 miles, and make a left on Householder Road – the farm will be down on the left.  

Other: The farm takes cash or check only.