Zoo Lights---- Seasons Greetings!

             This post was supposed to be all about the Christmas light parade in wonderful Benson, Arizona.  Last year was our first experience of this, and the whole family loved it!  In fact here is my blog post from 2013 in case you are one of the many that missed it:   http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-light-parade-benson-at-its.html
   This year night was meet with a light drizzle of rain.  We left the house early to get a great view of the parade route.   Cliff notes:  if you did not make it you certainly did not miss much!  The parade started about thirty minutes late and lasted about 12 whole minutes.  Compared to about an hour last year.  In fact when the last float went by, with Santa and his lovely wife, no one thought the parade was actually over.   Lame sauce for sure.    So please enjoy my pictures and such from last year.   I will provide a few pictures from this year  just because I can.   And than go on to talk about our great night at the amazing Reid Park Zoo and zoo lights.  And as always for more Exploring  please check out my first blog page at  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com    

                                                               Benson light parade 2014----booo!

This horse never got to play any reindeer games.

The power company of course always has a great light display.

                                                            O Christmas tree....!

Last but not least  Santa & Mrs. Clause!!

Viewing these pictures took about as long as the total parade.

Our attempt at putting up lights!

I work at this little casino

and love my job!

This is in no way a publicity shot, or endorsed by the casino

I just thought it was a good shot of the building I got one fine day.

AND the casino let us workers and family enjoy the zoo lights before anyone else, for free.

We visited Reid Park Zoo for the first time a

few months ago  and I must say it was amazing!

Check it out:

http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/2014/08/reid-park-zoo-tucson.html

They put all the animals up to sleep, but I still highly recommend zoo lights!

A truly great mixture of familiar characters, zoo life, lights, and wonder!

They even had a section of snow falling.

A true wonder in the heart of the desert.

We soon indulged on some hot coco.

And of course Santa was there to visit the young and young at heart.

                                                               Live music
                                                    And of course lots of lights!

My wife loves dolphins so we thought this picture was perfect. 

Still enjoying the hot chocolate.

Even the cactus were lit up.

Not Christmas lights   but a very lit up entrance for sure!

Not lights  but I thought this stare down was a good picture.

Not sure what the caution tape was for.

Possibly the best part of the night.

This whole light section was also set to music.

Our amazing daughter paused to sing with the music and lights.

With an amazing now duo to a Frozen song.

Many paused to listen to her sing. 

                                             This was a truly great night  a huge thank you to Casino Del Sol
                                                         and of course Reid Park Zoo  and all of it's workers!

Much more Exploring and pictures on my Washington state blog page

http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/

And my first blog page  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

Please check them out.

And as always

**HAPPY TRAILS!!**

Christmas Light Parade -Benson At It's Brightest.

Remember the reason for the season!!

      Last Saturday we joined the masses and went to the light parade.   We had our family of five, my brother-in-law, and several other kiddos along to enjoy the sights!  All day local vendors showed there wares, contests were run, and Santa enough kids to make even a pros knee sore.   This page will soon be about Exploring and adventures all across this amazing state.  But now mainly focuses on our new home town -beautiful Benson, Arizona.  Every time I think I have seen all of the local sights, I venture out in our pickup and find a new place to Explore!   Several such trips from this week will be featured in this very blog series, very soon!   Today's post is all about the parade.  This was our third parade since we moved to the area.  And possibly the most exciting.  Because if nothing else, this marks just how close the big day really is. 

   The kiddie carnival right off of Fourth Street light up the whole area.   The attractions were all for the youngsters, but I have to say a few of the events looked entertaining. 



  Santa was soon pulled into the scene with a very well lit coach.  This was the towns 2nd such parade.  And although we sadly missed the first one--I have to say everyone involved did an amazing job!  Although we are still pondering what they plugged all of those lights into on the horses.   ;)





     Not something usually associated with a light parade, or maybe even Christmas- but this garbage truck sure did shine and look Purdy. 

Ducks all in a row!

While waiting for the parade to start, our corner kept everyone around us awake by belting out

Christmas songs.

      My wife snuck this picture of our oldest---he was enjoying the show, but really did not favor getting his picture takin.'   Not an option with such camera ready parents!

Our daughter *facing away* and youngest, I think a light caught his eye. 

Or maybe it was Santa. 

Here he is again in front of the DUI patrol van.

I try to capture this vehicle in every parade blog post I do. 

There were nearly 30 entries this year

so it was defiantly not a quick evening.

I have to say that personally the fire trucks stole the show. 

After Santa of course, and maybe those folks handing out candy!

Beyond all the Christmas lights  fire trucks have lots of built in super bright lights.

 

This was a very magically night for all involved!

I hope that you and yours have the most amazing Christmas imaginable!

This is a VERY new page--and as our bank account grows--so will the adventures.

I hope that you all enjoy what you see here

Please pass on the links to anyone and everyone you thing would enjoy this!

Butch asks  "were are you Exploring today!?" 

The next two Exploring posts are again very local.