Keeping Track of Christmas?

Internet surfers of all ages will soon get the chance to track the 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way from Arizona to the front lawn of the US Capitol.

SkyBitz, a remote asset tracking and information management service provider, will attach a mobile tracking unit to the trailer carrying the 85-foot blue spruce as it crosses the country from Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The device is part of the SkyBitz GLS asset tracking service. Tracking data, as well as detailed, street-level maps of recent locations, will be accessible to the general public on the company's Web site.

A special link to track the tree will also be active from November 10th at www.TrackTheTree.com. The Christmas tree will tour the state of Arizona for 10 days and then travel to Amarillo, TX; Tulsa, OK; Branson, MO; Nashville, TN; Roanoke, VA; and Chevy Chase, MD.

On Nov. 30, the tree will arrive in Washington, DC. The lighting ceremony is scheduled for the week of December 7.

Since 1970, Congress has asked a different national forest to provide the tree each holiday season.