The Lights Of Christmas

Yesterday was the day...and a perfect one at that, for a scenic drive and and evening of outdoor meandering among 'the lights of Christmas'.  We set sail from Abbotsford, with 38 passengers on board the Bakerview bus...with our trusty driver, Frank!  It seemed the US custom officers were a little suspicious of our rowdy looking bunch...and detained a few among us for a closer look at their paperwork.  Dutch papers are always a little suspect!  We had the foresight to leave our mandarin oranges back in Abbotsford...though it would surely have been nice to have an orange feast en route.   The drive to Stanwood, Washington and Warm Beach Camp was a memorable one.  With snow-capped peaks against the clear blue sky, a most awesome sunset a little later, and very warm fellowship...it's a ride we won't forget.  (The heater on the bus worked a little too well, and it felt rather like a sauna inside!).

Though the GPS is usually most reliable...it totally let us down yesterday.  It informed us 'we had reached our destination' when we were still many miles away  with not a clue where to go.  After a few u-turns...we had an officer tap on the bus driver's window while at a red light.  He asked if we were heading for Warm Beach Camp...and then told us where to go.  He said he had been following us since the Sumas border crossing and had figured we were lost.  Do angels come in officer's gear?  From there on it was easy to find!

And what a find it was!

These are a few of the light displays we passed by...

...on our way to the first venue.

We took in a concert at the Joyland Concert Stage shortly after our arrival...

...a fabulous production called "Uff Da! It's Christmas".

Though we may not have any Scandinavian blood in our veins...

I think we could all identify with the performers as they shared the importance of tradition in the celebration of Christmas.

We wandered about the grounds...

had Ivar's clam chowder...

or fried chicken...

and mini-donuts, of course.

Can you even imagine how long it took to hang all the lights? 

It takes over 800 volunteers to make this event happen every December. 

It is an amazing display...

...and so worth the trip to Warm Beach Camp!

We listened to the carollers...

...and warmed our hands around the fire when the need arose.

And at the very heart of the light display was the nativity scene.  

Jesus..the light of the world!

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!