17 Degrees .... Fahrenheit.
Were we just a little insane?
The night Brent and I went to see Luminaria, a big storm had just blown through the valley, plunging the thermometer, striking at the earth with bolts of lightening and shaking the windows with thunder. Driven snow and sleet sliced through the air and wind bullied its way through the streets, dumping over garbage cans and muscling down tree limbs. It was the night before Thanksgiving.
But our tickets were for 8:30 and by the time the hour hand reached 8, the storm was mostly on its way towards Colorado. It was still windy. It was still a little snowy. But we had tickets and we knew there were no refunds or exchanges for bad weather, that's just part of an outdoors' experience like Luminaria.
So Brent and I put on our warm coats and gloves and joined the hundreds of other families who had to wait out the earlier storm to go experience this new attraction at Thanksgiving Point. It turned out to be a good evening, in spite of the cold, but there were areas that were dark where the wind had snatched away power cords, and there were areas that were just too crowded to get any kind of a good experience. Don't get me wrong. I like crowds. But there are times when shoulder to shoulder just doesn't lend itself to a great experience. And that's what happened to us on Wednesday night, November 23rd.
Last week I finally got around to weeding through a bunch of overlooked e-mails and was surprised to find one from Thanksgiving Point announcing that because of the storm and less than optimal experience of the 23rd, all who had tickets from that night were permitted to reuse them any night, any time they wished and come back before the 8th.
Well, that was sweet. I could handle that.
The only problem was, when???? Our schedule is already overbooked for the season. Very overbooked and I wasn't sure when we'd find a minute to go back. And, in fact, WE didn't. But I had a free evening on the 7th I could sneak back over to take another look. Brent had meetings and was gone all evening, so I went looking for some brave young lady who was willing to face biting COLD temperatures - yes, 17 degrees F, and come back with me to Luminaria.
Kamryn was that brave soul.
She came with me to Luminaria. In spite of the cold, the skies were clear and there was no breeze, so I dared bring my good camera this time and try my luck with handheld, night photography. I wasn't really expecting anything great, so I was very pleased with the photos I was able to get.
Come walk with us, from the warmth of your cozy home, through the magical world of Luminaria. (It's still tons better to see it in person, however. I hope these photos will convince you it is worth the price!). At the entrance, Kamryn stopped and gasped as the lights down the hill changed color in time with the music. "I see worlds of light, all colors, too..."
First stop: Candy Cane Lane
Then around the bend we came to the Twinkling Trees and a lighted gazebo that made a perfect photo stop. We waited while other groups took photos in the shadows ...
And then took our own turn in the light - all gold and sparkles
and twinkles in the night,
that warmed the chill air,
and made it feel bright!
How many layers does it take to stay warm in the cold?
Just enough.
Just a jet-puffed marshmallow coat and double-hat,
muffled face,
double-gloved hands
and snow pants
and fur lined boots
and double-socked toes
enough.
We stayed warm.
On and on we moved down the hill,
on through new forests aglow
with royal purple
and princess pink...
That guided us on and on
until what do you think???
We came across the luminaries again,
midway down the hill
singing with colors,
and dancing with carols
that fought off the chill!
Around the bend, what to our wondering eyes should appear?
Look up to a ceiling of lighted orbs
that danced to their own music,
and twinkled and changed in beat
to their own holiday tunes.
Tulip beds in the spring made way for flowers of light in winter.
And we discovered a tall light tree, with an entrance to enter.
Look up! Look up! The lights stream to the sky!
And change color, and delight us, as we pass by.
On we traveled, as we walked down the hill,
And there, through another forest
We found deer grazing
and nesting,
and some standing still...
So quiet, it was,
there
among the lighted pines...
among the lighted pines...
So pretty,
so still,
As we made our way silently
to the base of the hill.
Out from the forest we finally emerged,
To find a blue stream of light
Softly glowing as it moved on
into the the dark of the night.
And on the other side of the stream
Oh joy!
Comet and Cupid were patiently
waiting to be seen!
We had wound our way down,
down
down
to the other end of the light
And there we looked back
up the hill where we'd been
What a thrill
What a sight!
Luminaries stretched back
Up the hill without
end
Softly now,
Quietly now,
We approach the nativity
All white light
And quiet night
And sweet sensitivity...
The mood changes
The gardens hush
And we take a moment
to reflect
on the Savior,
and His life,
and His touch ...
And we walk alongside
the Man
the Son
and we think of His life
and the things He
has done.
It was time to move on,
to say goodbye to the lights,
to return to warm homes
and to the gardens a
good night,
But not without time to play just a little,
to dress up the snowmen,
to play a game or two,
and race a sleigh,
and drink some hot chocolate.
Some of our fellow travelers
had a warm fire awaiting them here,
to roast s'mores
and to laugh
and
to giggle...
And then we moved on
down a glitter light path,
past a silver blue
waterfall
And on to a giant Frosty
with his top hat
and his big corncob pipe
Who posed with a smile
For this child who chose
To take home a sweet treasure
to share
and give away
to brighten another child's
life one day.
Back up to the top of the hillside we trekked,
And paused one more time
to look again at the hill so bedecked
Good night
and good bye
What a wonderful night.
