Christmas Fun - part 2 - In The Great Outdoors

One tradition that we have is to view the Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.   The first few years we went, we drove through the lights listening to Christmas tunes and admiring the programming that went into some of the displays.  (It is the curse of being an electrical engineer and recognizing a PLC panel on the side of the path).

After we became members at the Gardens, we started participating in the walking nights.  This allows us to walk at our own pace through the 1.7 mile display and take pictures.  They also offer cookies and hot cocoa along the path, and of course, Santa is there.

A still photo doesn't quite capture how pretty this is.

One of my favorite Disney movies - Beauty and the Beast.  The mirror changes.

to Belle!

T can't shoot these deer.

Probably our favorite spot - the icicle forest.

And they have SNOW!

You can kinda see the how the legs "move".

We are quite patriotic in Huntsville.

This one is kinda new, but a cool idea to represent the state.

The train track near the visitors' center is changed for every season.  I love the attention to detail on everything.

It was a bit chilly and breezy on walking night.

In 2012, the Gardens held their inaugural Galaxy of Lights 5K, and I chose to give it a try.  It was a bit of a challenge, running in the dark and on large gravel, but I liked the atmosphere and the fact that it was not a morning 5K.  In 2013 I missed the sign up and did the Fun Run instead, but this year, I was able to do the 5K again for my last one of the year.  I did make sure that I saw Santa too!

Normally I also participate in the Rudolph Run in downtown Huntsville but had to pass this year.  Christmas spirit is alive and well at this event each year.

Not sure who this is, but you gotta admire their tenacity.

Something new that we added to our activities was visiting the Tinsel Trail in downtown Huntsville.  I got a kick out of seeing the creativity that goes into decorating these trees.   Some are cute, some are clever, and some are touching.  It also is a great opportunity for learning to take photos at night with various lighting.   Below are just a few of our favorites.

Everyone's favorite snowman - Olaf

Part of being in Huntsville is the overwhelming support of our troops

This tree was all kitty ornaments

Santa in scrubs sponsored by Huntsville Hospital

And a tribute to "The Christmas Story"

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

Love Mr. Peabody!

This picture doesn't do this tree justice.  The green lights were SO pretty!

Since the weather was so nice where we were for Christmas Day, we decided to go for a hike to at least try and justify all of the good food we had been stuffing ourselves with.  So we hit the trail at one of my favorite places from my college days - Burgess Falls State Park.  DH had never been here, so it was a real treat to take him.

 With the recent rains, the waterfalls were just GUSHING.   We really couldn't carry on a conversation because the rushing waters were so loud.

DH wanted to hike down to the bottom of the Big Falls, so away we went.    What a nice surprise to see rainbows!

The rolling hills of Tennessee are full of barns and old buildings.  What a treat to run across this festive cabin on our travels!
Merry Christmas!