Friday, December 20, 2013

Which cinematic version of "A Christmas Carol" is your favorite?

Countless cinematic renditions of Charles Dickens' classic tale have been told, but everyone has their own favorite!  Some have been live action, others were animated, and others still have been done partially (or completely) in CG.  Some have tried to hold true to the book, others borrowed only certain elements in a satirical fashion.  Here are a few of the more popular versions:

Scrooge - 1951, starring Alastair Sim

A classic rendition of the tale.  Held by many as the "gold standard" for the many versions to follow.


Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol - 1962, starring Mister Magoo (Jim Backus)

Thought by many to be the only worthy animated version of the classic tale, done in a distinctly Mister Magoo style!


A Christmas Carol - 1984, starring George C. Scott

A somewhat darker telling of the story.  George C. Scott's gruff and emotionally damaged Scrooge is a favorite to many!


A Muppet Christmas Carol - 1992, starring Michael Caine (and the Muppets!)

Another Muppet classic!  Enough said!


A Christmas Carol - 2009, starring Jim Carrey

An unlikely/strange choice of cast lent itself surprisingly well to this modern retelling.

There are so many more!  Tell us your favorite on our Facebook post, and why!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

There’s no place like home for the holidays—make sure you arrive safely!


Ready or not, we are smack-dab in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle. When you know you’ll be on the road for the holidays, stress takes over and many of us can’t think of anything besides that to-list. Between coordinating outfits for the family photo, nailing that fudge recipe, packing all the gifts into the car, finding road trip music everyone in the family enjoy, we sometimes forget the most important thing: Safety. 

We want your holiday season to be merry and bright. If you follow any checklist at all this year, let it be this one:

BEFORE YOUR TRIP:
  • Map your route and make sure you understand all your directions clearly
  • Look up weather forecasts for your current location, final destination, and a few points here and there along your journey
  • Tell someone at your destination what time you set out on your trip and an estimated arrival time.
THINGS TO TRAVEL WITH:
  • Emergency Kit: Fleece blankets, water, batteries, granola bars—stock up your emergency kit with the basics. For a comprehensive list of must-haves, click here.
  • Patience! Remember that being in a hurry causes already-high stress levels to skyrocket. An emotionally distressed driver is just as distracted and dangerous as a driver under the influence of alcohol. 
  • A backup plan. When you’re across the winter wonderland, it’s important to expect the unexpected. Set out on your journey with a few different options if weather doesn’t permit you to follow the route you originally planned on.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Here are 10 of some of the most amazing roads the world has to offer!

There are roads that draw people from all over the world. Whether its the sporty experience they offer, or simply the amazing views, these 10 roads are definitely worth visiting if you have the chance!



1. Great Ocean Road - Australia

This beautiful route is a 150 mile stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.




2. Highway 1, aka "Big Sur" - California

Hwy 1 is carved out of the Pacific cliffs and spans almost all of California's coast. Enjoy picturesque views including the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge. 




3. Deals Gap, aka "Tail of The Dragon" - Tennessee

This road is famous among motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts for its serpentine nature. It is part of the U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee.




4. White Rim Trail - Utah

This trail is used by off-road travelers, as well as hikers and bicyclists. Perched precariously above Canyonlands National Park in Utah, its expansive views and switchbacks make it a destination for many outdoors enthusiasts. 




5. Ruta 40 - Argentina

At more than 3,000 miles long, it is one of the longest roads in the world. Much of it is unpaved, but those daring enough to venture here will be gratuitously rewarded with awe-inspiring landscapes.




6. Conor Pass - Ireland

This road epitomizes the Irish countryside, offering views of vast green meadows situated between craggy cliffs. 




7. Touge Roads of Mount Fuji - Japan

Quite possibly the birthplace of drifting, this road winds its way up Japan's highest mountain and has been a destination for racing enthusiasts for many years. 




8. Stelvio Pass - Italy

Regarded as the sports car world's holy grail, though encountering some criticism with that distinction, it only takes one look to understand why this road is high on every list.  




9. Guoliang Tunnel Road - China

This road is known as one of the most dangerous in the world, quite possibly only challenged by Bolivia's "Yungas Road" in terms of sheer annual casualties. With no other options, engineers decided to carve the tunnel road out of the mountain starting in 1972. 





10. Trollstigen, aka "Troll Ladder" - Norway

Another famous road among sports drivers, its 9% grade and numerous hairpin curves offer a unique driving experience. 

 

Let us know what are some of your favorite roads to drive on!