Escapees November-December 2023

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The Christmas Capital of Texas Grapevine, Texas Grapevine City Hall, 200 S. Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051, 817-410-3000, www.grapevinetexas.gov

worked for approximately six weeks to create the nearly 17,000-square-foot frozen attraction. More than 12,000 person-hours went into the project. The environment is controlled by a state-of-the art chilling system that maintains the temperature at a frosty nine degrees Fahrenheit. We each put on a blue parka and head into the wintry wonderland. We pass a life-size train car, which Olivia and Ainsley sit in, a train conductor, many scenes from the movie and a clear ice sculpture of the Nativity and an angel at the end. After ICE, we take in fun activities in the Christmas Village. From throwing snowballs and riding a merry-go round, to visiting a massive gift shop and snow tubing all of which Olivia and Ainsley experience while I cheer themon. Our next stop is Vetro Glassblowing, where we help create Christmas ornaments. With the help of artists, we gather glass at the end of a long metal rod and then roll it in colored glass. The glassblower shapes it, puts it in a mold and blows into the tube to make it perfectly round before asking each of us to heat it again with a blow torch. The last step is forming a hook from another small piece of glass. It is such a fantastic experience and a great souvenir. We are excited to depart for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express. Beautifully decorated coaches take us on a journey with Mrs. Claus. We sing Christmas favorites and enjoy refreshments. The chil dren, many in their pajamas, are presented with a large jingle bell from Santa’s better half. Immediately after the train excursion, we enter a large tent where two elves are getting ready for the holidays. There is singing and dancing and a lot of fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus join the elves in reminding every one that Christmas is really about being with loved ones. After the excellent show, we stroll through the snowy North Pole Forest. Peace Plaza We head for the Peace Plaza Ice Rink, a 4,500-square foot outdoor facility. Ainsley learns to skate, Olivia hangs onto the wall surrounding the rink, and I watch safely from outside. The Peace Park, home of the city’s of fi cial Christ mas tree has a commemoration dedicated to Native

We, my daughter, Olivia, and granddaugh ter, Ainsley, and I, are spending a few days in the Christmas Capital of Texas. The sun is setting over Grapevine Lake as we leave Vineyards Campgrounds & Cabins. We are staying in one of their cabins facing the lake. W e park and head for the celebration’s heart: Main Street. I walk onto the street and immediately understand why Grapevine has this moniker. Millions of lights frame the street, with Victorian-style buildings decorated with a rainbow of colors, Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths and Christmas music playing in the background. We decide to walk toward Liberty Park. All along the way, we pass some of the city’s 80 locally owned shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, winery tasting rooms, art galleries, home décor studios and collectible shops, plus several restaurants, all with festive windows. Several times we stop to look for holiday souvenirs and gifts. A giant tree greets us at the park, along with Toy Land at the gazebo with a big doll and teddy bear, vintage sleighs and life-size Christmas cards. After taking several photos, we decide to have pizza at Farina’s Winery & Café and top it off with ice cream at Buzzed Bull Creamery. Here they use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and milkshakes. They handcraft each dessert to the customer’s preference of fl avors. Lone Star Christmas The next day starts at Gaylord Texan Resort and Lone Star Christmas. In the center of the atrium is a 54-foot tall tree featuring a light show. Surrounding it through out the atrium are decorations, including larger-than-life nutcrackers, 12,000 ornaments, miles of garland, more than 100 smaller Christmas trees, and over two million holiday lights sparkling everywhere. We wander around the atrium, taking in all the decorations before heading to Riverwalk Cantina for a brunch buffet. We are then ready to see the resort’s famous ICE! Using more than two million pounds, or 1,000 tons, of ice, the classic holiday movie, The Polar Express, was brought to life by a team of 40 ice artisans who

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ESCAPEES Magazine November/December 2023