Light up Richmond (December 5,2014)

My lady came to Richmond (she does that often) and we went out to see Richmond light up the city on December 5. It is a huge event...with her and me as well as a large number of the residents of the city coming to the James Center to see the lights come on there. The city also outlines the buildings in white...it is really something to see. This was the first time we actually got out to see it, and it was really neat. There were bands, all sorts of decorations and a large number of people. I had a great time as did my girlfriend. We later met up with her sister and his boyfriend and went out to the Jefferson.      

The Jefferson Hotel lit up a few days earlier. I got the photo of the tree there. That is an amazing hotel (think its the only five star hotel in Richmond) and it is an amazing place. The tree is at the foot of the grand staircase, and the Gingerbread house is another of their amazing creations. This one is not small...you could easily stand in it.
Had a fun time there, enjoying the visit from her sister and my friend (though both of them are) with my amazing girlfriend. Coming up is a bit of time out to see some of the amazing (and well known ) "Tacky Light Tour" and that was also amazing (and will be the subject of my next post.  

Concord....Christmas Underway (November 28-29-2014)

During Thanksgiving went back to North Carolina where I had a very wonderful time with my girlfriend (a wonderful dinner she made) and went out on the Friday night after to see some of the city displays such as this street scene of Union Street in Concord, NC. Not many of the houses on that street have been decorated yet but they son will be (if they are not now as I write this). I had lived there for some 14 years and Concord does a really fine job..and the people who live there make some fine places to check out. As I have found, Richmond, VA (where I live now) goes all out: but enjoy both places!

 This is Village Park in Kannapolis, NC...this is their city tree and a couple of little cottages. The one with the line is where Santa is, the other is animated bears. The whole park lit up on November 29 for the First Night. There was a big party and fireworks and then the lights came on, and there was a train ride (the train is always there...the lights are not, through all the light displays. Some of them go back to the Cannon Mill days of the town.  

This was my favorite light displayand like so many it was animated. Some of the others can be seen in the background.
For the Saturday trip went to Amy, her mom, her Mom's friend Barbara, and Amy's friend Sara. We had a really great time, discovered the wonder of "Cuban Coffee".
On Saturday we were Amy, her Mom, and me. It was a very nice time on a very good day. Winter has yet to kick in as it is still (officially) fall, but did have a cold Friday...Saturday was warmer.
Looking forward to some more sights this season.