Garden Fest of Lights

It's been a long time since we visited a garden, and only one thing could drag me out on a cold winter night a week before Christmas ... lights!

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens - my down the street five minutes local garden - knows a fund raiser when they see one, and for the many years they have packed 'em in nightly from Thanksgiving to New Years with their light show. 

It's almost as much fun for adults alone, as it is with children - and we have enjoyed it both ways.  This year it was just the two of us strolling together and enjoying the colors and imaginative displays.  Well, we did take that new camera of mine (with a tripod!) and had a great time. 

We arrived a few minutes before sunset  [ok, so i mis-read the time for sunset.  it could happen to anyone!] but the local train club enjoys sharing a room full of trains and tiny building, so we let the sun go down in peace while we visited the trains. 

These three signs are reproductions of actual signs in Richmond.  The Sauer's sign is still there and still works- the baker is pouring vanilla into his bowl.   

Once it was dark enough, tho, it was on to the main event.  

A hundred years ago, the site of the Gardens was the site of a bicycling club - men only they point out.  This year's theme was the history of the Gardens and featured bicycles of all sorts throughout. 

Like this one!

Or, this "tree" made of shiny silver bicycle frames!  Ok, so it was weird .... but shiny!

The herb garden was sprouting these pretty "herbs". 

And these were plastic tulips with lights in the center.  Even the real ones looked a little out of focus - honest! 

The "tree house" in the Children's Garden is always one of the highlights.  This year it looks like a giant bowl.  There were dozens of kids running up and down the spiral ramp to the top.

The trees around the original building were hung with shiny wheels and thousands of white lights for the gazebo.

 the prettiest views are the ones over the ponds

and across the lake. 

 It's a wonderful garden during the day, but a magical place at night.  We always say, "oh, we can skip it this year..." and we never do!  We've even been known to grab a couple of children to take with us ... just to make it even better!

Hope your days - and nights - are filled with light, too.