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Tag: Thanksgiving View All Tags

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Macy's Parade Was Best Ever, Say Our Internet Overlords

December 1, 2008 at 3:30 PM | by egw | 1 Comment

There are no words for our delight. While Macy's played it mostly safe with its new balloons for the 2008 Thanksgiving Day parade, adding a Smurf, Horton the Who and Buzz Lightyear, the Cartoon Network float appealed to those of us who live in the series of tubes by having the set of "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" interrupted by... Rick Astley. That's right, Macy's Rickrolled the world.

Whether the reference was caught by a majority of the over three million people lining the parade route in New York was not recorded. But if they didn't enjoy that, there was always Miley Cyrus on the "Bolt!" float, numbers from last summer's park production of "Hair" and "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta. The Energizer Bunny led the parade but peeled away at the end, that wascally wabbit.

Philadelphia's parade was led by TV foodie Rachel Ray but concluded with a visit from Santa Claus, who was cheered on by crowds bearing noisemakers IKEA passed out before the show. And Detroiters saw a resurgence in their parade tradition of papier-mache costumes known as Big Heads, with over 120 marchers decked out in historical or celebrity noggins to walk the parade route.

Related Stories:
· Thanksgiving Parade Offers a Fun Distraction [Detroit Free Press]
· Santa Brings End in Oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade [WFMZ]
· Boosters Push Love for City, Parade [Metro Mode]

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Britney's Working Holiday

December 1, 2008 at 8:45 AM | by egw | 0 Comments

For Britney Spears, this weekend brought all work and no play. While her documentary "For The Record" was showing in the US, Spears performed on Britain's popular TV show "X Factor" (creators of Leona Lewis) and at the Bambi Awards where she was given the Best International Pop Star award.

So what were our other favorite stars up to this weekend? The Cruises and Beckhams took New York together even though Katie Holmes had to work all weekend--er, perform in "All My Sons." Miley Cyrus hit the Big Apple as well, although we hope she's not moving here! Divorced stars Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon broke bread together with their kids for the holiday, while Alex Rodriguez left his kids in New York while he took in a Madonna concert in Miami. Demi, Ashton and Bruce also celebrated together, and we know they're all friends, but that's kind of creepy.

Will Smith took his crew to Hawaii and Michael Phelps took his new girlfriend, a waitress in Vegas, home to Maryland to meet Mom. And Eva Longoria set tongues wagging when she attended a wedding by herself. Have we all had enough vacation yet?

Related Stories:
· Where Is The Gator Farm Britney Spears Took Her Kids To? [Jaunted]
· Britney Spears Celebrates Freedom From Kids At Peninsula Hotel [HC]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: The Superficial]

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Thanksgiving Break

November 26, 2008 at 4:47 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

Our short list is all about pop culture travel trends in real-time.

This week, it's the special T-give edition: We'll see you all back here, well fed, on Monday morning.

We Want to Know: How's Your Travel Day So Far?
Haven't Left Yet? Pack Our Airport Cheat Sheet
Here's How to Survive Delays
Return Trip? Pack a Pie
And Give Thanks You're Not in an Emirati Prison

...While We Give Thanks for the Praise

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TSA Approves Pies In The Sky

November 26, 2008 at 12:48 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

Don't fear, dessert fans: The TSA wants you to know that you can indeed take holiday pies through security checkpoints, even if they weigh more than three ounces. Apparently cherry filling isn't a liquid or a gel!

Agency spokesman "Blogger Bob" had the official update today:

Just send it through the X-ray and you’ll be one step closer to enjoying your delicious pie. We do suggest you take it as a carry on so it doesn’t get squashed in your checked luggage.

Last year, airport screeners said your dessert "might be subject to additional screening," but we've seen no such warning so far this season. Hurray for pie!

Related Stories:
· Easy as Pie [TSA Blog]
· TSA Unintentionally Hilarious Yet Again [Jaunted]

[Photo: cardamom]

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Airport Survival

November 25, 2008 at 5:11 PM | by pbb | 1 Comment

And so it begins: An all-out assault on airports in the United States starts in earnest tonight, as holiday travelers try desperately to fly home to green bean casserole and whatever other strange foods their families are cooking up for Thanksgiving.

Before your trip to the airport, gear up with this collection of essential tools and information. Because being stranded at the airport is actually fun bearable when you're prepared.

Related Stories:
· Arm Yourself with Info at the Inimitable FlightStats [Official Site]
· Get Official Airport Statuses from the FAA [Official Site]
· Keep Praying for Good, Airport-Friendly Weather This Week [WSJ]
· Memorize Wendy Perrin's Airport Advice [Perrin Post]
· And Print Our Airport Cheat Sheet Before Leaving [Jaunted]

[Photo: lookoutbelow]

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Deltalina Shares Her One-Bag Packing Tips

November 23, 2008 at 12:00 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

To us, there's nothing more snoozy than reading detailed tips on how to squeeze the most junk into a small roll-aboard or how to cram enough gear for two months into a tiny pack. But Delta is hoping to spice up your packing with some tips from YouTube-famous Deltalina--pointers that are all the more important now that the airline is charging $15 for your first checked bag.

In talking with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Deltalina "reveals" that rolling clothes is the best way to neatly pack your stuff while also reducing wrinkles. Once everything's tucked away, she says, dropping a luggage tag with your contact info inside the bag before closing it up is a good idea. That way, if the ID you've attached to the outside disappears, ruthless luggage handlers can still determine which wheelie is yours.

The tips aren't exactly Earth-shattering, but as was the case with those recent TSA videos, they can't hurt with a bustling holiday travel week coming up. And having Deltalina doing the packing is sure to garner some extra attention, too. To wit: This post!

Related Stories:
· Pack Smart: Deltalina Shows You How [AJC]
· Pack Smart: Tips from Deltalina [Delta Blog]
· Deltalina: True Love [Jaunted]
· Deltalina Returns! [Jaunted]

[Photo: Delta Blog]

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Thursdays Are Always Thanksgiving In Key West

November 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM | by kjb | 1 Comment

If you’re going to skip town on your family for Thanksgiving, you might as well go somewhere warm. Heading down to the Florida Keys is a good bet for nice weather and beach time, and the relaxed atmosphere doesn't allow for Black Friday insanity.

For dinner, head to Pepe's on Caroline Street. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Key West, and the place serves up a Thanksgiving-style meal every Thursday.

Then, instead of watching the parade on TV, head out to the water where kiteboarders are planning to congregate during the holiday weekend to put on a show for anyone watching. If the winds are blowing the right way on Saturday, a group plans to ride about 80 miles through the water from Islamarada to Key West.

Related Stories:
· Pepe's Cafe [Yelp]
· Thanksgiving in the Florida Keys? [Kiteboarding Magazine]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Stig Nygaard]

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Pretend To Be A Cowboy In Arizona

November 20, 2008 at 5:20 PM | by egw | 0 Comments

Most of the year, riding horses in Arizona sounds like a great way to get heat stroke. But just as the Northeast settles in for a long winter, temps in the Grand Canyon state are in the balmy 70s, making the choice to pull on jeans and boots seem less horrible. Spend Thanksgiving weekend letting someone else do the walking at the Grapevine Canyon Ranch in Pearce.

Ride through fields of cacti near this small town southeast of Tucson, then after you get back from the dusty trails--6 to 7 hours of riding a day are included--kick back in a hot tub in your villa before tucking into Thanksgiving dinner. No TV and no in-room phones means you can concentrate on... Well, whatever you do when you're not reading Jaunted. (We'll miss you, but you could use the break!)

Related Stories:
· Cruise, Ride, Fly, Eat and Relax This Thanksgiving: Last-Minute Deals and Discounts [Frommers.com]
· Horsing Around on Beautiful Back Roads [Jaunted]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: GCranch.com]

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President Bush Ceremoniously Opens Airspace

November 18, 2008 at 5:34 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

President Bush made his now-annual announcement today that "military airspace" would be opened up to commercial traffic to ease Thanksgiving travel in the US this year.

Of course, as was pointed out last year, the move doesn't guarantee a trouble-free holiday travel season. Still, the announcement gave the outgoing president the chance to try out a joke:

The past eight years I have not seen a traffic jam, waited for an airplane or had my bags lost.

Hilarious.

Related Stories:
· President Bush Tells a Joke [Airline Biz Blog]
· Bush Opens Military Airspace [WaPo]
· Bush Opens Airspace for Thanksgiving Travelers [Peter Greenberg]
· Bush Moves to Open More Flight Lanes for Holiday [AP, via Google]

[Photo of JFK: Carl Puentes Photography]

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Rockefeller Center Tree Arrives In NYC

Where: Rockefeller Center [map], New York, NY, United States
November 14, 2008 at 10:15 AM | by pbb | 0 Comments

If you need any further evidence of Christmas Creep, here it is: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrived in Midtown this morning, almost two full weeks before Thanksgiving. Say what you will about the commercialization of Jesus' B-day, but the 8-ton, 72-foot-tall, 80-year-old Norway spruce is pretty impressive.

Crews will now string the tree with five miles of wire and 30,000 solar-powered LEDs in advance of the December 3 lighting ceremony, which promises stars like Beyonce, Tony Bennett and the Jonas Brothers. The spruce will be topped by the massive Swarovski star unveiled by Fergie earlier this week.

Related Stories:
· Fergie Presents the Rockefeller Center Star [Newsday]
· Stars Lined up for Christmas Tree Event [Chicago Sun-Times]

[Photo of last year's tree: pbb]

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Jaunted's Airport Cheat Sheet

November 13, 2008 at 1:32 PM | by egw | 1 Comment

Traveling on Thanksgiving is like competing in the Olympics--if the games were populated by knuckleheads who hadn't taken a flight since we started taking our shoes off for the TSA. If you're reading Jaunted, you're already ahead of the pack, but maintain your lead through hurdles like involuntary schedule changes and forgetfulness with our super-guide to the airport.

more ›

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You're Welcome For This Left Coast Parade

November 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM | by egw | 0 Comments

New York City's gets all the glory, but if you can't get excited about standing around in the cold waiting for a Thanksgiving parade to start, set your sights on SoCal. The Mother Goose Parade in San Diego County may never inspire a Super Bowl ad, but it would make for a great game of "Hey! It's That Guy!"

Grand marshals for the 2008 parade, which begins at 10 am on Sunday, November 23 are Tori Spelling (Hey! It's that reality star who was on the original 90210!) and KayCee Stroh (Hey! It's the break-dancing nerd from "High School Musical"!) Other slots for your Celebrity Bingo card should go to Chris Knight (see Spelling, only substitute "The Brady Bunch" for 90210), Mason Vale Cotton (Hey! It's that kid from "Desperate Housewives"!) and Lou Ferrigno (Hey! It's that Hulk!)

Guess in this case the parade's proximity to Hollywood brings all these guys and girls out of the woodwork. Snoopy, that's your cue to move.

Related Stories:
· Morally Ambiguous Travel: Just Relax And Enjoy New York's Columbus Day Parade [Jaunted]
· Macy's Parade Hotels [HC]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo from the 2007 Mother Goose parade: Bisayan lady]