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[A81]A Plus American Vacations

by Holiday Man, Hol

I was thinking the other day that soon, I would have to start making plans for my next vacation. So there I was looking through my world atlas for a destination of my dreams flipping through the pages when I came across a map of North America and there it hit me. At a rate of one State a year, it would take 50 years to explore the US, 50 American Vacations that would not even scratch the surface of this great big land of ours. Indeed I remember visiting the Grand Canyon with my wife last year when we thought that one week of exploration through this incredibly beautiful land had only enabled us to see but a mere fraction and we had promised each other to return another year. I remember thinking back then that this magnificent Grand Canyon National Park had been carved by the Colorado River, a body of water moving down from a great distance and it probably took it millions of years to achieve its goal, some 6 million years ago. A piece of art, millions of years in the making but the greatest architect of all, nature, to bring us this ultimate American Vacation dream.

American Vacations are available in a multitude of packages and possibilities. Where you decide to go will depend on your area of interest and your lifestyle. If you are sporty kind, American National Parks are truly amongst the best in the world. Maintained to retain their original wild beauty they offer amenities and services to meet the needs of most tourists. Bring waking boots with you as there are as more trails then you would care to count, ranking from beginner to advanced depending on how fit you are. When taking a walking holiday, remember to follow all the safety recommendations that available at the Parks themselves or online. Too many people have been the unfortunate victims of their own ignorance when it comes to precautions, and you will want to be careful. Most national parks offer lodging of some sort, and for the more adventurous amongst you, camping might just be the thing for you!.

If you are more of sedentary type of traveler, Las Vegas vacations for example might be a destination that will appeal to you even though it might not with your bank manager's seal of approval.

But of course, talking about every possibility offered by an American vacation would take thousands of pages which would be obsolete the moment such a book was written.

So: chose a state of interest, determine the areas you want to visit, the type of vacation you enjoy and start planning. You can get there by car, train, plane, boat and once there you can either camp, stay in a hotel, a cabin or a vacation home. It doesn't really matter how you do it, the simple fact is that this American Land of ours is truly a gift of nature and you will likely make this next vacation of yours a holiday of a life time.

Day 5-15-08

Mygorgeous sexy pageant gown arrived today-special delivery! Though it was a veryshort wait, I had to fight the urge to stalk the mail carrier. How could I notbe excited about the perfect evening gown?! Let me backtrack a little. I am acurvy pageant queen. After quite a few years out of the royal spotlight, I amonce again competing. Of course, I want to make my big comeback in new clothes!Money is tight but where there is a will there is a way. I have no shameadmitting that I was doing a search for cheap dresses when I came acrossNextEve.com. Expecting to find a choice of 2 or 3 dowdy selections for plussized women (like the other sites I visited) I was not ready for what I found!It was formal gown heaven. Any gown that my little heart desired would fit myample beautiful curves! NO limits set by size availability. The styles ofdresses were diverse; elegant ball gowns, sexy sheaths, cute and flirtycocktail dresses. Though I was looking for a pageant gown, I had to browseevery inch of the site!!! All of a sudden, there it was staring back at me- my14K golden dream dress. I am sooooo ready for the pageant's evening gowncompetition.

Day 5-28-08

A monthfrom today I get to strut my stuff in my beautiful evening gown. It's amazinghow an awesome gown can transform a woman. Not only by looks. You feel like youare queen of the world! It changes your walk to almost a floating glide. Yourposture becomes straight and tall. How wonderful it is to feel as beautiful asyou look!

Though Iam a curvy girl, I chose a sheath style dress. A sheath dress is completelyform fitting. Most of the gowns you see on celebrities at awards shows are ofsheath design-yes, second skins. My dress isn't skin tight but it is worthy ofgracing the red carpet. It kind of has a sexy French lingerie look to it.Gorgeous warm gold satin has a lace overlay at the waist with boning thatresembles a corset. The bust line is caressed in pleated black tulle netting.The skirt has an overlay of black tulle netting also for a soft romantic touch.I am so in awe of this evening gown! It's like getting an engagement ring-youcan't stop looking at it...then you look at it once more to make sure it'sstill there! Now I have to figure out a killer hairstyle to compliment it.

Day 6-20-08

I am inthe final countdown with a week to go!!! It is so stressful but totally excitingat the same time. There is so much that goes into preparing for a pageant. Theright hair, make up, getting your nails (hand and toes) done, shoes,appropriate outfits and the perfect evening gown. Don't have to worry about thegown at all. I've decised on a classy French roll for my hair. Since my face isround, I will have the typical "pageant pouf" bangs combed over tothe side with sexy tendrils of curls at the tips. I am also placing a bundle ofcurls and whisps on top of the roll for a more contemporary and sexy look. Thatwill be the perfect accent to the sexy French flair of the gown! I've beenwalking around the house in my clear heels so I won't be wobbly on stage.Getting into the "float on air" mode isn't easy after being out of thecompetition ring for about 7 years! Concentrating on last minute details won'tleave much time to write. We'll catch up when I'm back at home. I'll make upfor it when you hear about all of the awesome gowns I know I'll see atNationals. Well, Myrtle Beach, here I come!!!

Day 7-3-08

Let metell you, there's no place like home! Though Myrtle Beach was gorgeous beyond words, it'sgood to be back! Pageant time was jam-packed full of rehearsals, photographsand high heels....it hurts to be beautiful!!! Speaking of beautiful, I wasblown away by the variety of dresses my pageant sisters chose for the eveninggown competition! The younger girls rocked the ball gowns this year! One"Pre-Teen Miss" was so beautiful, she made Cinderella look like oneof the ugly stepsisters! Her ballgown was the sweetest shade of bubblegum pinkI have ever seen. The corseted top was spaghetti strapped and kissed withaurora borealis rhinestones. The lace up back was fully functional with ashimmering satin ribbon running through it. The fanciful skirt had layer uponlayer of billowy tulle netting gleaming with rhinestones sprinkled randomly.Her delicate little frame was not lost in this abundant dress. She glidedacross the stage with the grace and elegance of a veteran pageant queen. She ownedthe stage and completely wowed the judges. Her dress was an accessory for thenatural inner beauty that was shining out from within her! A "Jr.Miss" contestant wore a white strapless ballgown that had rhinestonessprinkled at the bust line. The skirt was full with a glorious train sweepingbehind her. The most awesome feature of her gown was that the skirt wascompletely covered with white roses made of tulle netting all the way to thetip of the train. The centers were soft pink netting with rhinestone accents.With her curly blonde hair softly swept up on top of her head, she looked likea young angel in an enchanted garden. She was definitely a sight to behold!

Day 8-10-08

We oldercontestants were equally as glam. We don't age-we mellow like a fine wine! Oneof the "Mrs. Woman" contestants displayed her beautiful figure in asheath prima donna gown made of champagne satin with a sexy black lace overlay.Her gown was covered in crystals that glimmered with each movement. The laceyedged split in the middle of the skirting exposed a flash of her legs as shetook her beauty walk. A small regal train swept out behind her. What a sultryvision of elegance! Less was more for one "Woman" contestant. Hergown was a satin strapless with an empire waistline in rich navy blue. Therewas an exquisite rhinestone brooch just below the bust that gave the flowingsatin of her gown that sparkling touch of class! She made quite a statementwithout saying a word. In the "Classic Ms." division, I sported my 14kgolden gown and got lots of "Oooooo's" and "look at yours"from my pageant sisters. No one had a gown like mine-not even the same colorand I couldn't have been more pleased. I thrive on standing apart in a crowd! Adiva in my division competed in 2 pageants that weekend. She was breathtakingin both competitions. For one pageant she wore a black halter with a tieredruffled skirt and magenta sash-stunning!!! A sassy haltered satin mermaid stylein fuchsia was her gown of choice for the pageant we competed in together. It'shard to put into words the glamour that she possessed! Alas, she won the crownand I am her first runner up. Someone blinded by the sparkle of the crown wouldsay that I lost. I say that I've won something priceless. A lifelong friendshiphas developed between the new queen and me. Long after our reign is over andthe crowns are on the shelf-our friendship will continue.

Article Source : Pg. 191

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Both Holiday Man & Rahul are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Holiday Man has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Family Travel and Travel and Leisure. . Live the American dream!. Holiday Man's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.

Rahul has sinced written about articles on various topics from Internet Marketing, Travel and Leisure and Real Estate. Charissa Thames is a loving mother, photographer, and home business owner living in Pennsylvania. She has great passion for fashion and writes and comments on evening. Rahul's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.