It’s almost Christmas and while visiting family in Mobile AL last week, I toured Bellingrath Gardens to see the Christmas lights. This has been on my to do list each year so I decided this was the year! I grew up in Mobile, but never visited the gardens except when I was too small to remember. You know how it is, when you travel, you take in everything you can, but ignore the things close by. Seeing the Christmas lights was so special and spectacular and may become a new tradition each year! I felt like the kid in the candy store with all the beautiful colors and sparkling lights. It was much, much more than I expected.
These are a few of my many photos and they do not do justice to the lights at all. Another beautiful scene was around every turn.
One of my favorites was walking “under the sea” with all the sea creatures – seahorses, crabs, fish, turtles, seaweed and much more.
The alligators in the lake were really great as were the giant lily pads and water lilies close by.
Trees surrounded a large park area and had large snowflakes hanging over them. This is just a small section. It was so beautiful, I had to stop a few minutes and just take it in.
Our tour began with a large circular butterfly garden filled with giant butterflies.
Gardens of giant flowers were all over!
I know the kids loved this train. I did and loved the reflection in the lake. The wheels turned and the puffs of smoke moved.
There were manger scenes, both of lights and regular, but my photos were blurry due to rushing as so many people were taking pictures of them.
After we finished our walk, (almost 2 miles according to my Fitbit), we went into the gift shop. We talked with an employee who told us that 6 women work on setting up all the lights, including using a cherry picker to put lights in the huge trees. They start on September 1, and finish the day before Thanksgiving. Each year, some of the displays are replaced so it’s not the same each year. All the displays are made at Bellingrath Gardens.
If you are anywhere near Mobile from Thanksgiving until the beginning of the year, you should stop by and see the spectacular lights. You won’t be disappointed! In fact, you will be fascinated.
Merry Christmas!
Phyllis
