Bentlyville...

(WARNING: This post is very long and full of pictures)

Tom and I enjoyed a relaxing evening in Duluth Saturday night (December 19th). It was my last night in Duluth and I wanted to make it fun and memorable. A local guy put on a light show for the community to go to free of charge. It was by the waterfront of Lake Superior, so we knew it was going to be a bitter cold event, but we were well prepared.  We put on our smartwool socks on, long underwear, sweaters, mittens, scarves, and jackets. We made sure our stomachs were full of  Chinese food at a local Chinese Restaurant and walked on over to a special light show called Bentlyville.  Throughout the event there was many opportunities to warm up. At the beganing and end of the light trails they had a stand, where you can get free hot chocolate and cookies. Later, down the trail of lights they offered freshly popped popcorn, It was a nice little treat. But, the best part was towards the end where they had fire pits roasting away with freshly cut wood. There was a stand that offered marshmallows on a stick for everyone to roast. It was a delightful treat, but sure got cold as soon as you started on the trail again.  Here are a few of many pictures I would like to share with you of our wonderful last night together. 

As we walked through gates of  Bentlyville

it introduced us as "Dashing Through the Snow"

So I decided to take a quick snapshot of us.

I wanted to get as many pictures as possible

as you scroll down you will see that I 

accomplished that task. 

Tom enjoying some steaming Hot CoCo..

Mmm Yummy, nothing hits the spot better on 

a cold night than Hot Chocolate. 

This is the little building that was handing 

out the Hot Chocolate and cookies.

The lights say "Cookie House"

This was the 1st thing we saw when 

we walked together into the gates. It was a

beautiful lighten castle.

A closer look at the "Cookie House" Light. 

Tom and I really enjoyed the 12 days of

christmas display. However, as we were singing the 

song together, we could not think of the words to 

the number 10. 

So, we went around the light show one more

time and finally we got it. So I decided to take 

another pictures so you could see the last 

of the numbers.

Another snapshot a volunteer took for us.

I really like this one it truly captures our 

enjoyment we have with each other and 

our Christmas Season spirits.

Another shot that I begged and pleaded with 

Tom to get a picture with one of Santa's

reindeer!

A beautifully lighten tunnel that sent us

on our way to roasting marshmallows.

Inside the tunnel. Tom was sick of smiling,

so he pulled out one of his many faces for 

this shot. How handsome right?

By Golly look who made it to this special event. 

SANTA!

We were suppose to capture the lift bridge

on this one, however it didn't really work.

I still really like it though. 

"Ginger Park" This was one out of many parks 

that they had displayed. This was one of my favorites.

They also had an 18 hole golf course lit up, penguin park,

and a neighborhood with people as their other parks. 

More of the gingerbread park. 

This was a very neat and fitting display for Duluth, MN.

It is a ship going into or out of the Harbor. The lift

bridge also blinked up, middle, and down

as if it was moving for the ship. The ship was

called S.S. Bentlyville.

Tom and I thought this was a very random 

display, however of all people, Tom 

was fascinated by it. 

This is a picture of people roasting marshmallows 

over an open fire. Along with a glimpse of some 

of the lights in the background. 

Santa and his reindeer heading across the world

to deliver presents for all his children.

We even got to travel the seven layers of the 

gumdrop forest. (quote for the Christmas movie

Elf) Tom and I both got some humor from this one

because from that moment on we quoted the 

movie elf throughout the night.  

Can't forget about the naivety scene.  I tell you they had 

everything you could think of that was related and non 

related to the Christmas Season.

and Noah's Ark...

Another capture before the night is over. 

As we walked out it said "... and to all a good night"

How perfect and fitting for a perfect evening 

out with my babe. 

But there was one more thing that 

Tom was itching to do. He spotted a 

Ice Rink that Bentlyville made for the 

Ice Skaters to come down and join in

on the Christmas Celebration.

So....

HE RAN...

AND SLIDED....

Just like any little kid would do if they 

spotted and ice rink. He will always

be a kid at heart and thats just
another aspect I love 
about  him.

I think we have grown accustomed to this bitter cold weather because when the night was said and done, we curled up on the coach in front of the fire place and talked about the fun we had together. Not once did we mention man it was cold out there, or I'm freezing lets go back. We not only went around the light show once, but twice. The second time, however I spotted a few extra things I didn't notice the first time, which was neat to experience.  That must mean we dressed appropriately for the occasion. I hope you enjoyed the light show pictures as much as we enjoyed going. All and all we accomplished another memorable evening out in the frozen tundra of  Duluth, MN.