Season of Light

I’m not much of a cold-weather person. My kids would say it’s because I was born in June. They theorize the season you’re born in is the season you love the most. Hot weather babes love being cooked in high summer heat. Cold weather babies are exhilarated by being slightly frozen.

They are wrong, with an asterisk. I love being cold if I’m being pulled along—enchanted—by one of my favorite ways to mark the Christmas season. Outdoor light walks are cropping up all over the place. We’ve been to several in the Denver metro area. Last night, Tommy, Joel, Beatrix, and I checked out The Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light for the first time.

It’s easily the best, brightest, most creative, loveliest I’ve seen. Over one million lights illuminate the gorgeous grounds, snaking through various gardens on sidewalks and trails. There are well-manicured displays and wild woodsy sections where you half-expect to see a fairies dancing. The water features throughout the grounds are used brilliantly as illuminated fountains and reflecting pools.

The kids were giddy. They wore HoloSpex glasses and saw dancing snowmen, reindeer, and snowflakes, but I also encouraged them to take off their glasses to see how beautiful it was without special effects. We did the loop twice because we loved it so much. They each had favorite trees and even named some. Here’s Beatrix’s Disco Tree…

It was so much fun watching them romp and squeal when we’d round a bend in the path to a new view full of surprises. I also really liked how the Botanic Gardens uses what is dead and fallow this time of year to enhance the experience. They’re brought to life again.

The moon nudged into the scene.

I can’t wait to go back. I’d go back tonight if I could, but this time with my husband, alone, on a date. There were many snuggly nooks and benches. Also, I’d love to see what it looks like with a blanket of white snow to reflect all that gorgeous light. It would be a whole new experience. If you live in Colorado, I highly recommend Blossoms of Light. The Botanic Gardens also has Trail of Lights at the Chatfield location. We’ve never been to this, either. Next?