Yakima Christmas Lights

Last evening Susan and I drove around Yakima to look at the Christmas light displays, one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. Here are some of our favorites.

Happy Holidays!

Yakima Arboretum Luminary Walk

Last might we went to the 21st Annual Luminaria at the Yakima Arboretum. The walk is free and provides a mile long candle-lit pathway through the arboretum. Over 1000 candles light up the path.

There are a few decorated areas along the path including this gazebo and part of the Japanese Garden.

Cookies, coffee and apple cider, along with live music by local musicians is provided in the Jewett Interpretive Center. We have gone to the event several times and always enjoyed ourselves. Donations from the community keep the event coming back year after year.

After completing the walk, we went to Burger Ranch for a candy cane milkshake - another Christmas time tradition. YUM!

Frosty Mugs

North Star Lodge is having their Christmas party today and I asked Susan to sign up to bring dessert so I could make these cupcakes. They were fun to make and I was surprised how much the baker's sugar looked like snow.

Annie

The current production at the Warehouse Theater Company in Yakima is Annie, which Susan and I went to see on Saturday evening. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Grace Marshall, a fifth grade student in Yakima, did an outstanding job in her first performance at the theater.

All local kids, the orphans stole the show, especially "Molly" played by Madison Taylor. A fun way to spend the evening.

Susan's Arizona Visit

Last month Susan spent some time sightseeing and visiting Mom and Dad in Arizona. One adventure was riding on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The heritage railroad is located near Clarkdale, Arizona. It opened in 1912 and was originally built to support the copper mines located in Jerome.

Different prices reflect the style in which you ride. This is a picture of the first-class cabin, while the following picture is coach class.

Mom and Dad enjoying the trip.

Numerous caves are visible in the rock hills.

Susan got an excellent picture of these beehives zooming in on one of the caves.

These next three pictures show some of the scenery visible from the train. All excellent photos considering the train is moving right along.

They also visited the Strawberry School House, the oldest standing school in Arizona. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by pioneers in 1885, the one-room school provided elementary instruction until 1916.

Montezuma Castle features well-preserved cliff-dwellings built by the Sinagua. The amazing ruin is located between Phoeniz and Flagstaff.

They also tried a variety of restaurants during Susan's visit, including Toby Keith's I Love This Bar, where among other interesting side dishes, they serve deep fried macaroni and cheese!