The Tree Meets its Match!

Saturday, November 20, 2010 - The 2010 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree finally met its match when we visited the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN. The Giant stands at 55 feet tall, 12 feet shorter than the Tree. The Tree arrived just in time for the annual "scarfing," when the Giant received a giant red scarf to keep warm for the winter.

The Jolly Green Giant gets "scarfed" in Blue Earth, MN.

Team Tree in front of the Jolly Green Giant Statue.

The Tree and the Giant.

Prior to the festivities in Blue Earth, the Tree visited the J & L Harley Davidson in Sioux Falls where many people came to see the Tree. Despite repeated requests from Team Tree, no free Harley's were given away.

Thanks to J & R Harley Davidson for having us!

Greg Clark attempts to take a test drive at the J & L Harley Davidson.

The Tree in front of the J & L Harley Davidson.

On the way from Sioux Falls to Blue Earth, we had to make a brief roadside stop when a small part of our banner began to tear. Never fear, we had duct tape and Team Tree!

Guarding the Tree in South Dakota

Very Late, November 19/20, 2010 - Last night in Chamberlin, we couldn't get our 105-foot Tree trailer into the area we had planned to store it overnight. So the men of Team Tree took shifts all night guarding the Tree. Thanks to Adam, Phelan, Justin and Josh for sacrificing what little sleep we have been getting to protect Wyoming's Tree!

Law Enforcement Officer Adam Case patrols the rest stop where the Tree was stored overnight.

Justin Kaber keeps a watchful eye on the Tree from the cab of the truck.

Law Enforcement Officer Phelan Whitehair during his late, late night shift guarding the Tree.

Thank You Wyoming!

Friday, November 19, 2010 - Today was our last day in the great state of Wyoming. After ten days and more than 22 stops, it is time for the Tree to carry onwards to Washington, DC. Tens of thousands of folks across the state had the opportunity to see the Tree and sign the banners we are taking with us to Washington.

The pride and excitement of the people of Wyoming over our Tree has been truly spectacular. Everyone who we talk to who has been involved with the Capitol Christmas Tree in previous years says the enthusiasm of the people of Wyoming over our Tree is unparallelled. We tip our hats to the people of Wyoming and thank you for your energy, hospitality and excitement.

The folks in Sundance had a great celebration to send us off on our cross-country journey! Hundreds of residents from Sundance and the surrounding communities showed up to sign the banners and wish us well.

Children sang carols at the celebration in Sundance.

Smokey the Bear greets kids in Sundance.

Also on hand were the Sundance Methodist Church Bell Choir. Check out this video below of them performing at the community event!

In Sundance, Family Career Community Leadership of America students made special cowboy boot cookies for the celebration.

The Team raises their cowboy boot cookies in honor of the end of our Wyoming journey!

After heading out of Wyoming in the morning, none of us were sure what to expect in the rest of the country. The crowds in Wyoming have been so large and energized, but we weren't sure how they would be outside our state. However, we are happy to report that South Dakota gave Wyoming's Tree a warm welcome today! We visited Spearfish, Sturgis and Chamberlin today where many school groups and families came out to see the Tree.

Sturgis Elementary Choir came by to sing in front of the Tree.

We had a small challenge when we arrived in Chamberlin, South Dakota later in the day. The Tree could not make the turns necessary to get into the community. So after much strategizing, we ended up parking the Tree at a rest stop just outside of Chamberlin. Nonetheless, residents of the surrounding community came to us and were still able to see the Tree. When you are traveling with a 105-foot trailer, you are bound to have a few challenges, but we so appreciate the people of Chamberlin working with us!

Despite the location change, the people of Chamberlin still showed up to see the Tree.

A Special Thanks to the Cenex FCA Country Store!

Due to the uncontrollable Wyoming winds, we missed our celebration at the Cenex FCA Country Store in Gillette last night! So Team Tree made an early morning visit to the store to fuel up! Thanks to FCA Site Manager Jim Oswalt and his team for taking such great care of us!

Team Tree and FCA Site Manager Jim Oswalt in Gillette.

A Parade in Wheatland, a Jackalope in Douglas and a Wind Delay in Wheatland

Thursday, November 18, 2010 - Today we had the opportunity to see the very best of the people of Wyoming. From Wheatland, to Douglas, to Gillette, we saw the enthusiasm and excitement of the people of Wyoming over our state's Tree and their patience and understanding in dealing with unexpected challenges.

Winds at speeds of over 55 MPH sidelined the Capitol Christmas Tree outside of Wright today for more than three hours causing us to miss a stop at the FCA Country Store in Gillette as well as most of the community celebration at the local college. We were so disappointed to miss these celebrations, but the residents of Gillette continued on with their festivities and many stuck around until we arrived around 7:00 p.m. The community even created their own banners for Wyomingites to sign which we will take with us to Washington, DC. Thanks for your understanding Gillette!

Before the wind, we started our day out in Wheatland with a fantastic parade and event in front of the court house. Nearly 1,000 people showed up in Wheatland to see the Tree and sign the banner. Talking to one of the residents there, we were reminded of why so many people across the state have come to see the Tree - "We are just excited to be a part of this. This is historical and we get to be a part of history," said a gentlemen in Wheatland.

Check out these photos of the parade and celebration in Wheatland.

Parade in Wheatland.

CCT Coordinator Mary Cernicek and the Pony Express in Wheatland.

The celebration in Wheatland.

Next it was onto Douglas where hundreds of more residents of the area awaited the arrival of the Tree. Children from the local schools sang throughout the event at Hardware Hank's and participants (including the team!) enjoyed delicious BBQ sandwiches.

The Douglas Chamber of Commerce also had a special presentation for our driver, Jeff Underwood. Jeff was presented with a Jackalope hunting license from the town as well as a jackalope for his dashboard. Fortunately, Jeff had gotten educated earlier in the trip by true Wyomingites and got the joke. We think.

Leaving Douglas, hundreds of school children lined the road to see the Tree and wave to the team. This video gives you the opportunity to see what Team Tree has experienced countless times out on the road in Wyoming. The excitement and enthusiasm of the children is truly contagious and seeing their faces has been a highlight of the tour for many of us.

Despite our wind delay (read an earlier post to see how Team Tree entertained themselves for nearly four hours at the rest stop), we were able to see many people when we arrived in Gillette later in the evening. There was music and food and Santa was visiting with many of the children. Even a little late, we were happy to arrive to the party and join in on the festivities.

After the celebration we headed to the Settle Inn for some rest and the Sky Line restaurant for some dinner. Thank you to owner Ray Lewis for taking such great care of the team!

A Special Thanks to Cloud Peak Energy

Cloud Peak Energy helped put together the wonderful celebration in Gillette! They have also been a tremendous sponsor of the Capitol Christmas Tree Project. Their support has been instrumental to the project and ensuring the delivery of Wyoming's Tree to our nation's capital. Thanks Cloud Peak!

Wyoming Travel and Tourism Facebook Contest

Thursday, November 18, 2010 - Wyoming Travel and Tourism's "Deck the Wall Facebook Contest" begins today! Snap a picture of yourself with the 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree and post it to WTT's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/visitwyoming, and you could win a gift basket of Wyoming-made products worth over $200. Check out details below!

Wind Slows Capitol Christmas Tree!

Thursday, November 18, 2010 - Winds blowing at 55 mph sidelined the Capitol Christmas Tree today. On the way to Gillette, the Team encountered high winds that forced us to stop at the Cheyenne River Rest Stop. Driver Mark Fortner explains why the Tree and team had to stop.

The Tree is anticipated to be stuck here until after dark. If you are in Bill, Pine Tree Junction, Reno Junction, Wright or Orpha - stop by to see the tree!

We are so disappointed that we are missing the wonderful people and special celebration that the city of Gillette and the Cenex Farmers Co-Op had planned! Delivery of the Capitol Christmas Tree to DC in one piece is top priority!

Below Team Tree tries to navigate the windy day.

Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator Mary Cernicek hangs on at the Cheyenne River Rest Stop.

Law Enforcement Officer Dennis Cease puts his life on the line to protect the Capitol Christmas Tree amidst 55 mph winds.

Greetings from our State Capital!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree made its way to Cheyenne today for a number of special celebrations in our state capital. We woke up to a snowy morning in Laramie and waited for the roads to be cleared before heading onto Cheyenne. Check out the Tree in the morning in Laramie.

Waking Up in Laramie!

The team and the Tree arrived in Cheyenne in perfect time for a big celebration at the Cheyenne Depot Museum. We had a great turnout and the event included singing from the Cheyenne All-City Children's Chorus. The Chorus will also be traveling to Washington, DC in December to sing at a special lighting reception in DC.

The Cheyenne All-City Children's Chorus performs at the Cheyenne Depot Museum.

The Tree arrives at the Depot.



We had a number of special guests at the celebration in Cheyenne including the Director of Wyoming Travel and Tourism Diane Shober, Cheyenne Mayor Richard Kaysen, the President of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Henry Armour and representatives of Chesapeake, Cameco, Cloudpeak, Devon, Jonah Bank and many other of our wonderful sponsors without whom none of this would be possible.

Representatives of Cameco in front of the Tree in Cheyenne.

US Bank and the Salvation Army teamed up to serve free hot drinks and snacks at the celebration in Cheyenne. 

Thanks to all who came out today to the Depot to see the Tree! After the event, it was time for fuel again so we headed onto Love's in Cheyenne with President of NACS Henry Armour and his wife Natalie Clark. We fueled up for the next day and stopped for a photo with Henry, his wife and General Manager of the Love's Store Tim Benedict.

After fueling up, it was time to store the Tree overnight. As you can imagine, finding a safe place to store our 105-foot trailer is not always easy, but here in Cheyenne, F.E. Warren Air Force Base generously agreed to take care of our Tree overnight. We brought the Tree onto the base where service members and their families quickly showed up to to sign the banner and take photos with the Tree.

Colonel Fox signs the banner.

The Team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

A special thanks to all the brave men and women serving at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, as well as throughout the country. Thanks for keeping a watchful eye on our Tree tonight F.E. Warren. Team Tree will sleep well tonight knowing it is well protected!

We had a special treat tonight - a reception at the Governor's residence! Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal opened up his residence for a celebration honoring the Capitol Christmas Tree. A number of the artists who submitted art work for the Capitol Christmas Tree Project were on hand at the reception including winner Fred King Will. The reception also provided the opportunity to see Team Tree all gussied up!

Governor Dave Freudenthal with CCT Coordinator Mary Cernicek and Deputy Josh Sorenson.

Signing off tonight with a special message from F.E. Warren Air Force Base!