So, how’s your Christmas shopping going? Personally, I’m making myself crazy. I’ve begged family members for ideas, I’ve looked at web sites, I’ve tried to compare prices- no luck. The New River Gorge was too pretty for me to spend the day inside a mall, so… I went to Chicago.
Pretty good shopping, not much whitewater.
Ok, I didn’t go there just to shop. It was a very special time spending Thanksgiving with my family. But hey, the Miracle Mile is right there, and who could resist? We didn’t go on Black Friday, thank goodness. We waited until sunny Saturday.
I’m a West Virginia girl, so there’s some culture shock. I never saw so many people crowded onto sidewalks in my life. There were street entertainers, which was nice, but lots of people crowded around them created lovely opportunities for pick pockets (we were warned) and more congestion.
Once inside the stores, look out. Those shoppers were out for blood. Finally, around 3:30, when I was weak from hunger, my feet hurt and I had bruises, I came to a decision: gift certificates.
My family thinks I’m cheap if I give them Songer Gift Certificates because they can get river trips for free. But I actually give them because it’s a really great gift. And hat could be easier? Believe me, downtown shopping isn’t! Do you think my family would get over the cheap idea if I gave them socks instead?
Anyway, I thought the culture shift was interesting. We spend most of the summer talking to people about what it’s like for them to visit the mountains. I almost forgot how different it is when I visit the city.
Tags: Adventure Vacations, christmas shopping, New River Gorge, Songer Whitewater