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Motorcycle Mencation by John Arnwine

A Mountain Challenge for a Motorcycle Mencation

With fall finally here, many people are seeking a different style of holiday. So much so, over the past 12 months, the US has seen an 82% increase in Google searches for ‘best road trips’. But which road trip around the world is most popular? And for what purpose?

To explore destinations for motorcycle trips, the experts in the automotive industry from Motorcycle Insurance have created a social media study ranking 28 of the most popular road trip routes across the world.3. To determine popularity, each road trip was analyzed on the following factors; Instagram hashtags, average monthly global search volume and TikTok views.

According to https://www. motorcycleinsurance.org.uk) the following data reveals the United States is home to most popular road trip destinations, with four out of the top 10, with a Californian coastal hotspot taking the crown!

Key points of interest:

• Stretching along the Pacific Coast highway and Santa Lucia mountains, the Big Sur route claims the top spot, most popular on Instagram and Google searches. • The USA has the highest number of combined Instagram hashtags, Google monthly searches and TikTok views compared to any other country reviewed. • With 163 million TikTok views the Salar de Uyuni road trip in Bolivia is ranked the second most popular road trip in the world.

#1 Big Sur - USA

Motorcycle Insurance discovered from their Road Trip Score, the most popular road trip route across the world is Big Sur in the US (83 out of 84 overall points available), scoring highest across every category with 1,469,416 Instagram hashtags, 368,000 global average monthly Google searches and 90,500,000 TikTok views. Big Sur is a dramatic route which takes you down the coastal road of California. The twisting roads go across cliff tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean and through stunning national parks, offering breathtaking 360 views wherever you go.

#2 Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia #3 Costa Smeralda, Sardinia #4 Ocean Drive, USA #5 Badlands National Park, USA #6 Columbia River Gorge, USA #7 Ruta 40, Argentina #8 Gobi Desert, Mongolia

For midwestern motorcycle enthusiast, John Arnwine, scenery is important in making your destination choice. However, the lay of the land or challenge of the actual drive on the road is where his interest lies.

“I don’t want to just ride down a straight boring road,” he said. “Arkansas has the ozark mountains and curves and beautiful scenery all combined.”

Another key ingredient is traveling on an extended weekend getaway as a group. He explained the guys all get together and travel to their designated destination as more fun than alone. Some of the popular roads chosen in Arkansas are :

PUSH MOUNTAIN RD TO MOUNTAIN VIEW - AR-341, AR-14, AR-87

DISTANCE: 46 miles Mountain View is the largest city in and the county seat of Stone County. Located in the Ozarks, the city has a rich tradition of preserving folk music and culture. Founded in 1873, the city’s economy is largely based on tourism related to its title as the “Folk

A Mountain Challenge for a Motorcycle Mencation

Photos Submitted by Gregory John Arnwine

Music Capital of the World”.

TALIMENA SCENIC DRIVE

The Talimena Scenic Drive is a National Scenic Byway in southeastern Oklahoma and extreme western Arkansas spanning a 54.0-mile stretch of Oklahoma State Highway 1 and Arkansas Highway 88 from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas.

HIGHWAY 7

ROUTE 23

DISTANCE: 26 miles The Pig Trail Scenic Byway is one of the most well-known motorcycle rides in Arkansas, and carves through Ozark National Forest. The byway follows Arkansas Highway 23 from the Interstate 40 exit, and travels north through the national forest to the town of Brashears, AR. The rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozark Mountains provides the setting for this ride. You’ll often be riding under a canopy of trees, making for a nice, shady ride during the hot summer months. ‘The Pig’ has curves, hairpins, elevation changes, and great scenery - all of which makes this one of the best motorcycle rides in Arkansas!

DISTANCE: 156 miles Some of the best roadside views in the entire state can be experienced on this great Arkansas motorcycle road. The southern section of this route goes through the Ouachita National Forest, while the northern section goes through the Ozark National Forest. You’ll ride with great views of canyons, lakes, rivers, forests and wildlife.

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Urbanspace Market

Miami is gearing up for the most epic holiday season as Urbanspace — a leader in food and retail immersive public markets — announces they are setting up shop on Lincoln Road Nov. 15 to Feb. 15. This marks the first expansion of the Urbanspace holiday pop up market outside of New York City, influencing further activation of the Lincoln Road District by drawing Miami Beach residents and visitors alike to the premier al fresco shopping and dining destination in South Florida.

“At a time when Miami is abuzz with growth and expansion, we could not be more thrilled to add to the excitement by creating the most unforgettable holiday experience through the new market on Lincoln Road,” says Eldon Scott, President of Urbanspace. “We aim to create spaces where entrepreneurship, community and creativity can flourish and are confident Miami is the ideal locale as our first foray into national expansion of our holiday markets.”

Jared Robins, Founder of InHouse Commercial, the real estate partner responsible for bringing the concept to Lincoln Road, adds, “It has always been a dream to bring New York’s famous holiday market to Miami and I couldn’t have imagined a better location than right here in Miami Beach.. ..

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. , the Holiday Market at Lincoln Road will present approximately 100 local and out-of-state vendors tp showcase a broad range of exciting gift categories such as decorative home goods, children’s toys and apparel, stationery, books and prints, men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, jewelry, kitchen and garden items, artisan food products, as well as food and beverages to be enjoyed onsite.

Over the past four decades Urbanspace has operated the most highly visible holiday markets in the U.S. in iconic New York City destinations: Union Square, Columbus Circle, and Bryant Park. Each market is designed to be unlike any other market in the world. The Lincoln Road Holiday Market will illuminate the area with enchanting, glowing kiosk structures dotting the mile-long pedestrian-only promenade, reflecting the sparkle and spirit of the season. Seasonal programming will also take place including live musical performances, art installations and Insta-worthy spots to snap pictures with loved ones.

Vendors can now apply for participation in the holiday retail extravaganza here: http://urbanspacemia.com or email info@inhousecre.com for more information.

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Fantasy In Lights

Celebrate 30 years of family tradition with a new spectacular scene on the lake, 10 million twinkling lights and 2,500 acres of Christmas cheer!

A beloved Christmas tradition shines even brighter! This season, experience the NEW Celebration Lake, a floating spectacular featuring 30 dancing trees honoring 30 years of Fantasy In Lights!

Surround your family with Christmas cheer when you walk, drive and celebrate the bigger and brighter Fantasy In Lights, one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Light Displays in the World! This holiday season, we invite you to one of the best family activities near Atlanta. Step out of your car and into the All-New Callaway Christmas Village! Wander through an immersive Winter Wonderland where you’ll explore a forest of twinkling lights and larger-than-life Christmas scenes featuring towering nutcrackers and gigantic snowflakes! Next, stroll through a forest of perfectly decorated trees on Christmas Tree Lane and stop for seasonal snacks and character meet-and-greets at the Christmas Market!

The fun continues with our classic drive-through experience, now featuring an enchanting Tunnel of Lights! Journey through the beloved seven-mile Fantasy In Lights Enchanted Forest, where festive music fills the air and the mesmerizing Magical Field of Lights returns to delight your family for another year. Make the most out of your magical night of lights with an overnight stay in a cozy Cottage, Villa or The Lodge & Spa. Capture the spirit of the season with a visit to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens today.

https://www.callawaygardens.com/ the-gardens/events/fantasy-in-lights/

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Celebrate The Holidays In Charming, Historic Style

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a top-ranked, 45day holiday light show with food, fun, fireworks and family entertainment

NATCHITOCHES- Older than New Orleans, Natchitoches has preserved its charm and history, from brick-paved streets along the banks of the Cane River, its double-galleried,wrought-iron-trimmed storefronts to its mix of Queen Anne, Italianate, Spanish Revival, Federal and Victorian architecture. This picture-perfect town is home to one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the country.

Now in its 96th year, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is a 45-night celebration that lights up the downtown National Historic Landmark District, the Cane River and its lake. This walk-and drive-around event draws in visitors and locals for food, fun and entertainment from Nov. 19, 2022-Jan 6, 2023. It’s so cinematic that The Christmas Festival scene in the movie “Steel Magnolias” was filmed here. Named after an American Indian tribe, Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) is easy to access via I-49 which connects to I-20 to the north in Shreveport and to I-10 in Lafayette, to the south.

Saturday Nov. 19 is the official start to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, “Turn on the Holidays,” when Cane River first sparkles with more than 300,000 twinkling lights and 100 set pieces, or tableaux, illuminating and reflecting off the river, lake and bridges. The day includes music on the Riverbank Stage and culminates in a spectacular fireworks show.

Saturday Dec. 3 is the all-day Christmas Festival with a Festival of Lights Parade from the National Register Historic District of Northwestern State University to the streets of the Downtown Historic District. Bands from NSU and regional high schools, dancing ensembles, costumed characters and themed floats delight the thousands lining the route. In addition to Grand Marshalls Santa and Mrs. Claus, Natchitoches “parade royalty” includes the Christmas Belles, Miss City of Lights, the Christmas Angels, Miss Natchitoches Teen and Miss Merry Christmas, the queen of the season. Live music on the Riverbank Stage and fireworks round out the events.

Visitors during the 45 days also enjoy a Christmas Treasures Art and Craft Show, a boat parade, a holiday tour of homes in the Historic District, Christmas performances and other events, including a Holiday Kids Fest and top bands on the Riverbank Stage. Santa Claus will be at his Santa House nightly from Sunday, December 4 through Friday, December 23, and the fireworks show over Cane River Lake is held each weekend through December 31.

Celebrate The Holidays In Charming, Historic Style

Restaurants and food vendors along the banks of the river, Front Street, and downtown ensure that no one goes hungry. To snack like a local, try a refreshing eggnog daiquiri and a hot and savory meat pie, or dine in on classic Creole and flavorful Cajun cuisine, but save room to sample everything from Italian to sushi to scrumptious desserts and traditional festival food. Restaurants and food vendors are open seven days a week.

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is one of the most revered holiday light shows in the U.S., with top rankings from travel authorities, including “#1 Best Public Holiday Lights Display” in the USA TODAY’s “10Best” Readers’ Choice Awards and accolades from its peers in the Southeast Tourism Society. For more details and the full schedule, visit www.NatchitochesChristmas.com

There’s so much to see and do that a mid-week or weekend stay is the best way to take it all in, and advance reservations for restaurants and accommodations are strongly suggested. Natchitoches is known as the Bed & Breakfast Capitol of Louisiana with more than 30 to choose from. Film buffs are attracted to the 1830s Steel Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast, the centerpiece of the Southern classic movie of the same name (320 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457; 318-581-3138). Hotels range from budget to flagship brands to the Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, the largest inn in downtown historic Natchitoches. To explore all the options, please visit www.Natchitoches.com/stay.

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Plan For Christmas in Marble Falls

MARBLE FALLS/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Experience Holiday Magic in Marble Falls with 44 Nights of Christmas Events Nov. 18- Dec. 31.

The Walkway of Lights, celebrating its 32nd year, and the family favorite Winter Ice Skating Rink will be open to the public from 6 - 10 p.m. This year, the annual Christmas Parade will be Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. Additional holiday activities this year include Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Market on Main, Downtown Sip N’ Shops, Music on Main, and more.

“We are so excited for the upcoming season full of holiday magic,” said Mike Hodge, City Manager of Marble Falls. “This annual celebration represents the ongoing joint effort between the City’s community, Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers who continue to make Marble Falls a wonderful place to enjoy the holiday season.”

Presented by the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Walkway of Lights will be open nightly. The walkway gates open at 6 p.m. and while there is no cost to attend, visitors are encouraged to give monetary donations to help support the event and local nonprofits. The paved path is dog-friendly and ADA compliant as well as offering ease to those with strollers. On

Plan For Christmas in Marble Falls

Dec. 3 and Dec. 21, the Walkway of Lights and Winter Ice Skating Rink will open at 5 p.m. for accessibility hour, which is reserved for members of the disabled community and their families.

Complimentary street parking will be available in Downtown Marble Falls and a trolley will run from Main & 5th Street to the Walkway of Lights. Presented by the City of Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department, the Winter Ice Skating Rink will be located at a new location, Harmony Park Ice skating is $10 in advance and $12 for an hour on the rink, with skate rentals included. Tickets can be purchased in advance at VisitMarbleFalls. org/Christmas. Private parties are also available.

Other activities include the official lighting of the downtown Christmas tree which will take place on Nov. 11th. After sunset when the tree is lit, stick around for a screening of The Grinch on the lawn at Harmony Park. Happening Nov. 17th is Music on Main with The Jesse Stratton Band who will perform live in Old Oak Square from 6-9 p.m. Christmas Market on Main, a yearly favorite tradition, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Shop more than 50 local vendors to grab the perfect holiday gifts and stroll Downtown Marble Falls with wonderful boutiques, breweries, and sugary treats, all within walking distance. To extend the holiday fun, reserve a room at the McKenzie Guest House or the La Quinta Inn & Suites for an overnight stay.

To learn more about Christmas in Marble Falls, go to VisitMarbleFalls.org/Christmas. Full event listings of all 44 nights of Christmas events with details and dates can be found here.

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