Thursday, November 25, 2010 - Team Tree wishes everyone across the country a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
The Tree on its way out of Bridger-Teton National Forest
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Dahlonega Welcomes the Tree
Wednesday, Novemer 24, 2010 - The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and its Team learned the meaning of southern hospitality today when we arrived in Dahlonega, Georgia. We were absolutely blown away by the welcome we received. Thousands of people lined the streets of Dahlonega to see the Capitol Christmas Tree as we made our way into town.
The excitement had been building all day. Our wonderful drivers Jeff Underwood and Mark Fortner are from Dahlonega and they had been anxiously awaiting their homecoming for days. As we crossed into the county line, Mark yelled over the CB - "We're home!" As we quickly made our way to Main Street, we saw more and more people lining the roads hoping to catch a glimpse of the Tree, or perhaps just newly minted rock star Jeff Underwood.
It is hard to describe the fanfare that occurred when we pulled into town. The narrow Main Street was packed with thousands of onlookers and the surrounding trees and buildings were adorned with beautiful white Christmas lights. When native son Jeff Underwood climbed down from his truck, he was greeted by thunderous applause and huge hugs from his family members. It was nearly impossible not to tear up watching someone fulfill a lifelong dream and receive such a unbelievable homecoming at the end of their journey.
It took quite some time for Jeff to be able to peel himself away from the mass of people who greeted him when he climbed out of his truck, as well as all of the TV cameras, but Jeff made his way to the main stage where he was honored by his hometown. November 24, 2010 was officially named "Jeff Underwood Day" in Dahlonega.
After the celebration, the Chamber of Commerce had a delicious dinner waiting for us and wonderful hotel accomodations Thank you to the people of Dahlonega for showing this Wyoming crew southern hospitality at its best!
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| Thousands of onlookers packed Main Street to see the Tree and drivers Jeff Underwood and Mark Fortner. |
The excitement had been building all day. Our wonderful drivers Jeff Underwood and Mark Fortner are from Dahlonega and they had been anxiously awaiting their homecoming for days. As we crossed into the county line, Mark yelled over the CB - "We're home!" As we quickly made our way to Main Street, we saw more and more people lining the roads hoping to catch a glimpse of the Tree, or perhaps just newly minted rock star Jeff Underwood.
It is hard to describe the fanfare that occurred when we pulled into town. The narrow Main Street was packed with thousands of onlookers and the surrounding trees and buildings were adorned with beautiful white Christmas lights. When native son Jeff Underwood climbed down from his truck, he was greeted by thunderous applause and huge hugs from his family members. It was nearly impossible not to tear up watching someone fulfill a lifelong dream and receive such a unbelievable homecoming at the end of their journey.
It took quite some time for Jeff to be able to peel himself away from the mass of people who greeted him when he climbed out of his truck, as well as all of the TV cameras, but Jeff made his way to the main stage where he was honored by his hometown. November 24, 2010 was officially named "Jeff Underwood Day" in Dahlonega.
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| Dahlonega rolled out the red carpet for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. |
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| Jeff visits with elected officials and citizensof Dahlonega upon arrival into town. |
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| Mark Fortner visits with friends and family in Dahlonega. |
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Heading to Dahlonega!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - The Tree arrives in Dahlonega, Georgia today - the hometown of our wonderful drivers Jeff Underwood and Mark Fortner! After the celebration in town tonight, the Tree and the team will spend Thanksgiving together in Dahlonega. We can't wait to see you all in Georgia!
Special thanks to the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce for their continued support of the Capitol Christmas Tree!
Special thanks to the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce for their continued support of the Capitol Christmas Tree!
Hanging Out (and by that we mean eating) in Memphis
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - Today we had a day off in Memphis with no scheduled celebrations or events. Truth be told, the Tree needed a day away from the team. We can be a little difficult, demanding and tough to haul around, so we wanted to give the Tree some space.
Of course being in Memphis we made finding the best ribs in town a top priority. Team Tree made it to BB Kings Blues Club and Rendezvous to eat, while of course working diligently!
Of course being in Memphis we made finding the best ribs in town a top priority. Team Tree made it to BB Kings Blues Club and Rendezvous to eat, while of course working diligently!
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| Justin Kaber and Greg Clark on the trolley in Memphis. |
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| Law Enforcement Officer Phelan Whitehair, Josh Sorenson and driver Jeff Underwood discuss the next days route. |
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| Team Tree enjoying ribs at Rendezvous. |
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Tree Arrives in Memphis
Monday, November 22, 2010 - The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived in Memphis today! It was a long drive from Columbia, Missouri to Memphis, but the Tree and the team made it in one piece!
We were greeted in true western style in Memphis by a buffalo - and a fuel truck! Special thanks to Tugwell Oil for bringing the fuel to us!
Today in Memphis we also met a very special individual - George Kelly, a resident of nearby Germantown. George was the Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator in 1955 when the Tree came from South Dakota. The Tree was put on a train and presented to Vice-President Richard Nixon. Pictured here are 2010 CCT Coordinator Mary Cernicek, George and his wife. So cool!
The Tree and the team are resting up tomorrow and hitting the road early Wednesday morning for Dahlonega! We are excited to meet the folks from Jeff and Mark's hometown!
We were greeted in true western style in Memphis by a buffalo - and a fuel truck! Special thanks to Tugwell Oil for bringing the fuel to us!
Today in Memphis we also met a very special individual - George Kelly, a resident of nearby Germantown. George was the Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator in 1955 when the Tree came from South Dakota. The Tree was put on a train and presented to Vice-President Richard Nixon. Pictured here are 2010 CCT Coordinator Mary Cernicek, George and his wife. So cool!
The Tree and the team are resting up tomorrow and hitting the road early Wednesday morning for Dahlonega! We are excited to meet the folks from Jeff and Mark's hometown!
We're Not in Wyoming Anymore Toto
Sunday, November 20, 2010 - Last night the Tree rolled into its first big city when we arrived in Columbia, Missouri. It was an adventure. Team Tree knew its way around Wyoming very well and knew which turns we could make, which exits we could take and what to expect in the communities in which we arrived. This is no longer the case, of course, and when you are hauling a 67-foot Tree, knowing what you are about to encounter is important. It's hard to imagine what our trailer looks like until you have actually seen it, but let's just say you can't just pull over and make a u-turn if you go the wrong direction.
Nonetheless, the Tree made its way safe and sound into Columbia for two stops - one at Break Time on Conley Road and the other at the Holiday Inn. The entire Team and our fleet of vehicles came to the celebration at the fuel stop which included free cookies, hot chocolate and fun giveaways! At the Holiday Inn, hundreds of people showed up to see Wyoming's Tree. Check out these photos from our stop in Columbia.
Nonetheless, the Tree made its way safe and sound into Columbia for two stops - one at Break Time on Conley Road and the other at the Holiday Inn. The entire Team and our fleet of vehicles came to the celebration at the fuel stop which included free cookies, hot chocolate and fun giveaways! At the Holiday Inn, hundreds of people showed up to see Wyoming's Tree. Check out these photos from our stop in Columbia.
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| The Break Time crew and Team Tree with a special banner from the store with signatures from school children around the area. |
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| Our trucks and vehicles filled up at Break Time in Columbia. Our SUV's filled up with TopTier gasoline and our trucks filled up on MFA Oil's PDF Ultra. |
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| Hundreds of free cookies were given out at the Break Time celebration. |
A Special Visit to Britt, IA
Sunday, November 22, 2010 - Sunday morning, bright and early, we headed out to Britt, IA. At this early hour at a stop outside of Wyoming, we expected a smaller crowd and quieter celebration. We were wrong.
The town of Britt, IA outdid themselves with a tremendous celebration that brought together several hundred people in their downtown area. There was music from local school children, a special presentation by the Mayor and a hot breakfast provided by the community. Check out this video of the crowd in Britt!
What brought us to Britt, IA you might ask? Deputy CCT Coordinator Josh Sorenson has family in Britt, including one of his grandmothers. After a little urging on the part of his family, Josh agreed to have the Tree swing by Britt, expecting to stop shortly for some cookies and a couple of pictures. Little did he know his grandmother and aunts were hard at work ensuring the whole town would be there for the community celebration. And they were!
Thank you so much to the citizens of Britt, IA for welcoming the Tree and our team to your community!Everyone had an amazing time in your town and are looking forward to coming back for a visit soon!
The town of Britt, IA outdid themselves with a tremendous celebration that brought together several hundred people in their downtown area. There was music from local school children, a special presentation by the Mayor and a hot breakfast provided by the community. Check out this video of the crowd in Britt!
What brought us to Britt, IA you might ask? Deputy CCT Coordinator Josh Sorenson has family in Britt, including one of his grandmothers. After a little urging on the part of his family, Josh agreed to have the Tree swing by Britt, expecting to stop shortly for some cookies and a couple of pictures. Little did he know his grandmother and aunts were hard at work ensuring the whole town would be there for the community celebration. And they were!
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| Residents of the town of Britt were up early Sunday morning to come see the Tree! |
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| Josh pulled his grandmother up on stage to thank her for her hard work in helping to put the celebration together. |
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| Josh's mom (third from left), along with other relatives in Britt. |
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| Team Tree fueled up at the most efficient omelet station we have ever seen! |
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| CCT Coordinator Mary Cernicek and 2010 Little Miss Britt. |
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| Wyoming Travel and Tourism donated hats, vests, posters and postcards for folks across the country. |
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