At Christmastime it could be challenging for a guy writing a blog about things like gasoline prices, crude oil, refineries and consumer automotive-related issues to offer anything relevant or appropriate for this special holiday season.

And indeed it was... Until, I thought about the most energy efficient individual transportation system the world has ever known. That would be Santa and his sleigh, drawn by Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen; and led, naturally, by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

On further research I learned from reliable online sources that Santa travels approximately 4.6 million miles during a period of about 31 hours (that covers the various time zones across the globe.) He is actually circling the world 187 times or so to visit all the places and make all his stops. So the reindeer are moving at about 195,000 miles per hour. I'm guessing they do it on a very high protein and high-carb diet.

(Of course, Santa has his proprietary tricks --unknown to science-- that help him navigate and make his appointed rounds in this exceptional manner.)

And what's conspicuously absent from Santa's travels? Gasoline. He doesn't use a drop. How's that for an admirable carbon footprint?!! Thankfully, he's able to bring joy to children all over the world and never has to stop at a gas station.

But it's a long trip and I'm sure he appreciates the milk and cookies we leave out for him.

'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'