Imagine stepping into a winter fairytale where your favorite Christmas stories are not just told but spectacularly frozen in time. This is what awaits you at
the Gaylord Hotels' renowned ICE event. Each year, these iconic hotels transform into a frosty wonderland, where millions of pounds of ice are intricately carved into breathtaking scenes from beloved holiday tales.
It's not just an exhibit; it's an immersive journey through the heart of winter's magic. Whether you're a fan of the whimsical, the nostalgic, or just looking for a unique holiday experience, the ICE event at Gaylord Hotels promises a dazzling fusion of art and festivity, genuinely making it a standout holiday destination.
The magic of the
Gaylord Hotels' ICE event doesnāt just appear out of thin air. Itās the handiwork of over 40 master ice artisans hailing from Harbin, China ā a city celebrated for hosting the world's largest ice and snow sculpture festival. These artists travel thousands of miles to bring the stories to life, dedicating over six weeks to sculpting over two million pounds of ice.
Each stroke, carve, and chisel is a testament to their unparalleled skill. They transform colossal 300-pound ice blocks into delicate scenes, capturing the essence of holiday classics with astonishing precision. This intricate art form is more than just sculpting; itās a way of storytelling that these artisans have perfected, turning ice into a canvas for holiday wonder.
At
Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, the beloved holiday tale "The Polar Expressā¢" springs to life in a frozen panorama. Imagine wandering through a world where the storybook train, the North Pole, and the enchanting characters are all intricately carved from ice. This isn't just viewing art; it's like stepping into the book.
The artisans' mastery shines in every detailed sculpture, capturing the warmth and wonder of the story in a paradoxically cool setting. Each scene, from the steam train's billowing smoke to the twinkling lights of the North Pole, is crafted to draw you deeper into the magical journey, making the Gaylord Opryland's ICE event a spellbinding experience that goes beyond mere spectacle.
Step into
Gaylord Rockies, and you're stepping into a scene straight out of "A Christmas Storyā¢." This Colorado location turns the timeless holiday film into an icy reality. Imagine gliding down ice slides beside Ralphie's house or peeking into the frosty windows of Higbee's department store, all sculpted from ice. It's an interactive playground where the story's most cherished moments are frozen in time, offering a unique twist on the traditional Christmas narrative.
The ice tunnels, resembling the streets of a snowy Indiana town, add to the immersive experience. Each slide, tunnel, and sculpture invites you not just to see but to actively participate in a winter adventure, capturing the essence of the beloved classic in a way you've never experienced before.
At
Gaylord National in Maryland, the timeless charm of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerā¢" is brought to life in a whimsical winter wonderland. As you wander this icy marvel, you'll meet Rudolph, Clarice, and the entire gang, all beautifully carved from ice. It's a scene that ignites childhood memories and creates new ones for families.
Picture the joy of snapping photos next to a life-size ice sculpture of Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster or standing beside the glowing red nose of Rudolph himself. This Maryland extravaganza is more than just a visual feast; it's an interactive experience where every corner offers a new opportunity for families to bond and capture memories that will last long after the ice melts.
At the heart of Texas, the
Gaylord Texan transforms into a Dr. Seuss wonderland with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" Each sculpture in this icy expanse brings the whimsy of Whoville and its quirky inhabitants to life. Visitors are invited to wander through scenes straight from the beloved book, encountering the Grinch, his loyal dog Max, and the cheerful Who-folk, all expertly captured in ice.
It's a place where Seuss's playful rhymes meet the magic of the holiday season, offering a delightfully unique spin on festive celebrations. From the Grinch's cave to the bustling streets of Whoville, these sculptures are not just impressive in scale but in the joy they bring, creating an unforgettable holiday adventure deep in the heart of Texas.
In the sunny setting of Florida,
Gaylord Palms takes a nostalgic turn with "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Here, ice transforms into a sentimental journey back to the simpler joys of the holidays, as seen through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends. As you stroll through the exhibit, the beloved Peanuts characters, from Snoopy's doghouse to the iconic sparse Christmas tree, are all vividly recreated in ice.
This Florida spectacle taps into the heartfelt essence of the season, reminding us of the warmth and joy that come with holiday traditions. It's a place where each frozen scene, from Charlie Brown's quiet contemplation to the jubilant group gathering, resonates with the timeless message of holiday spirit and togetherness.
But the wonder at
Gaylord Hotels extends beyond the ice. Each resort turns into a holiday hub, brimming with activities for all ages. Think dazzling light shows, snow tubing adventures, and even encounters with Santa himself! Culinary delights await at various dining venues, offering everything from festive treats to gourmet meals. And let's not forget the captivating live shows, ranging from acrobatic performances to heartwarming musicals.
Each Gaylord Hotel becomes a comprehensive holiday destination, offering an array of experiences to make your festive season truly unforgettable.
Don't just dream of a white Christmas;
click here to learn more about the Gaylord Hotels' ICE event ā your new holiday tradition awaits!
Map represents the value of 100 dollars.
The map may not subvert one's intuitive assumptions, but it nonetheless quantities and presents the cost of living by geography in a brilliantly simple way. For instance, if you're looking for a beach lifestyle but don't want to pay California prices, try Florida, which is about as close to "average" ā in terms of purchasing power, anyway ā as any state in the Union. If you happen to find yourself in a "Brewster's Millions"-type situation, head to Hawaii, D.C., or New York. You'll burn through your money in no time.
The Relative Value of $100 in a state.
Image by Tax Foundation.
If you're quite fond of your cash and would prefer to keep it, get to Mississippi, which boasts a 16.1% premium on your cash from the national average.
The Tax Foundation notes that if you're using this map for a practical purpose, bear in mind that incomes also tend to rise in similar fashion, so one could safely assume that wages in these states are roughly inverse to the purchasing power $100 represents.
This article originally appeared on 08.17.17
You never know where a holiday tradition will come from.
āWhat started as a means to get a rise out of my Grammy has snowballed into a weird family tradition. I bake one pie a year,ā Lydon shared to the subreddit r/Baking.
For 2023, Lydon chose the word āD---wad,ā an homage to her favorite word to hurl in a fit of road rage, topped onto a decadent rosette-filled apple pie.
A pie with with word āD---wad" placed on top
āAsshat,ā apparently her second favorite word, was used in 2016.
Lydon also added a litany of pies from former yearsā āF---wit,ā āPenis,āāB----,ā āF--- Offāā¦you get the idea.
Gotta say, watching Lydonās baking skills progress over the years (thanks in large part to using the correct tools, she notes) to something worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake on āBritish Bake-offā makes this even more enjoyable.
Folks on Reddit seemed to enjoy it too. If for nothing else, to add their own profanity-themed jokes.
āA culinary and visual delight! This is the best thing I've seen all day,ā one person wrote.
Meanwhile, another quipped, āYour growth in pastry work is quite touching, c---,ā to which Lydon replied, āThank you, t---. Iām pretty proud of the progress. And grateful to my family for putting up with The Early Years. The first few pies were rough looking.ā
Others had suggestions for next yearās pies, including āprick,ā ānimrod,ā ābollocks,ā and ābastard.ā All solid choices.As Lydon explained to TODAY.com, the tradition came about from trying to get a āgiggleā out of her āsweet little Japaneseā grandma. After seeing that first pie, which read āF--- Off,ā Lydon recalled that her grandmother gave a lighthearted ādouble edged complimentā by saying, āOh my, well, I can see that youāve tried really hard. And you put a lot of effort into it.ā
Sadly, Lydonās grandmother passed away a few years after the first pie, but the cheeky tradition lived on. And in its own quirky way, it brings Lydonās family together.
As for her Reddit popularity, Lydon told TODAY.com that sheās thrilled others shared her love of vulgar pastry making, and is happy to see that some folks might start their own version of the tradition.
āIf we can make a few more people laugh because of rude words looking pretty, then Iām all for it.ā
Whether itās curse-word pies, funny sweaters, DIY decorations, or something else altogether, maybe this is a sign to create your own unique holiday tradition, however big or small.Meet Huckleberry the dog.
To put passersby at ease and ebb the parade of concerned parties knocking on their door, Huckleberry's human put up a note explaining the whole weird scenario to those interested:
Thereās a dog on the wooof!
via Reddit
It reads:
"Huckleberry is living up to his name and learned how to jump onto our roof from the backyard. We never leave him in the backyard without someone being at home. He will not jump off unless you entice him with food or a ball!""
We appreciate your concern but please do not knock on our door... we know he's up there! But please feel free to take pictures of him and share with the world! #hucktheroofdog."
Of course, they ended it with a hashtag for photos shared on social media. Also, it seems a little strange that the owners mention that Huck is willing to jump 10 feet off a roof to chase food or a ball, but do nothing to suggest that people refrain from urging their dog to make that (seemingly dangerous) leap. Maybe Huck's got the whole process down to the point it's just not a concern.
This may seem like a pretty odd phenomenon, but not so odd that there isn't a whole corner of Reddit devoted to dogs who just seem to really, really enjoy roofs. It's called r/dogsonroofs, and boy does it ever deliver on that name.
This article originally appeared on 12.05.18