Richmond's Illumination 2012

So this is a little late as when I went it was December 23rd maybe. Anyways, my family and I went downtown on a semi-rainy night to enjoy the lights like we usually do. they are nice to see if you have not seen them before. I actually didn't take as many pictures as I normally do but I grabbed a few for my family and with my in them to (after getting dad to understand what was the shutter button). Any who... check out the pictures if you like and hope you had a great season.

Grand Illumination - Downtown Richmond,VA Christmas Lights 11'

Hey Everyone!
So Christmas Night my family and my girl friend went downtown to see the Christmas Lights that are downtown in Richmond, VA. they are nestled between the James Center buildings. At night you can see the large buildings downtown for miles since they line the edges of them with lights so they are outlined for anyone to see from afar. So here you go, Also if you want to see last years photos click here. I took more photos the year before and also again I didn't go during the Grand Illumination.

 

So what they put up all around is Reindeer of course! All lite up and only one has the red nose and he was out in front of the group!

Christmas Lights of Richmond (Omni Hotel & James Center)

Hey everyone, it has been way to late for this post so I am sorry for that!

I haven't done a photo post, like a real photo post in a while and I will work on the Longwood Garden's photos to get those up as well soon.

For now, I will get these up for you to view since it has been overdue indeed!

So every year in Richmond we have a "Grand Illumination" of the lights that run along the side and edges of a lot of the tall buildings down in the city. Also around the James Center 1, 2 & 3 and the Omni Hotel they have festive like things with a large Christmas tree (not actually living tree), reindeer all around and inside there are a few things that are Christmas themed.

I went the first time down there the Tuesday before Christmas with my girl friend. Her first time to the lights was the previous year with my family and she loved it so of course we were going to go this year. My first time going with out the family but it was nice romantic evening with her. Was chilly so it was hard to take photos :P

I also went Christmas Eve with my family, a family friend and one of my friends. They didn't have anyone to spend the night with and my mother asked her friend and I asked my friend to join us for dinner and some time in the city. They enjoyed coming with us and I am not sure if my friend had gone to see the lights before but it was a nice evening :) I took care of his cat about a week when he left in the morning. He had a flight to Florida on Christmas since his mother was getting married on the 26th!

This was also the first time to really use my new camera outside at night and trying to capture pictures of lighting (also in the chill cold brrr)

Every year my family and I try to find Rudolph since it is hard to find him and we make it a game. This year he was right there at the corner (Cary and 10th) and could easily be seen from the street so there was no game trying to find it since we pointed it out before I even parked haha.

It was nice that there was snow on the ground here and there. It actually snowed on Christmas this year and was fantastic! Love the snow and what it brings. Puts the birds in a frenzy in the woods!

In the Omni Hotel area inside there is a drop box to drop your letters off for Santa to read. Of course you write what you want and drop it in. He will read it and check his list to see if you have been good and will decide if you get it :P

In the James Center 2/Omni Hotel, they have this fountain and like a water pool thing that loops around a good part indoors and they have it themed with penguins and Eskimos fishing and such.

Around the other side they have a pile of presents and the foot of these large Nut Crackers. I wonder where they store these giants. They could crack open heads they are so big.

Anyone see the Nut Cracker at the Richmond Ballet? They have it every year! I never saw it with the Richmond Ballet but at my High school that I went to long ago. It was by like a local group or dance company.

The rest of the Omni, lots of people that came in used the Starbucks to get some expensive tasty coffee products to warm up.

The Christmas tree that they use is the same every year, part of the top this year though a section of the lights were out >_> bummer haha.

They have lots of reindeer out to take photos of and walk around. Lots of family's bring their kids down to get photos. I saw children running around with some hot coco from a street vendor that was also selling glow sticks.

Also music from a guy off Cary Street playing Christmas music from his Saxophone. Sure set the mood with my darling.

I also saw others like couples in there late 20s or a father and daughter that was in her mid 20's.

All was lovely, and enjoyable.

In the James Center 1, a man (or could be a local club) sets up a train set, and a nice one at that.

It is a nice train set with multiple trains, different settings and buildings.

Every year it is there, although on Christmas Eve it was running and there was just the security guard who was in the building haha. I hope he got to spend time with some family or friends that night.

Grand Illumination-Richmond,VA

Here is a photo and video from the Times Dispatch of the Grand Illumination in Richmond, VA. It was on December 3rd this year.

I didn't go but I went last night with the girl friend to view the lights before Christmas came around. I pretty much have gone every year with the family but this was the first time with out the family.

I had a good time walking around with her and I took a lot of photos. I will get those up when ever I can but with work, girl friend and sleep I don't have the time really to post anything. If I do, it cuts into my sleeping time which I value a TON! :P

I know I have backed up on the photos post and I haven't gotten around to post photos of the snow and now the lights. I am really backed up with my Hobby blog photo reviews lol

Anyways, we went to the James Center and the Omni Hotel and viewed everything that there was to offer. We also took a walk done Cary Street on the coble stones just because we felt like it and I payed the parking meter extra haha. (60 cents for 1 hour and 12 min). Lots of nice restaurants down there probably full with people for a work party or just people in general that can afford it. Most of the meals at the places started at $20.

We then went on our marry way to the Jefferson Hotel to view the Christmas tree in the center hall. Always fantastic and that hotel always has its own splendor about it. Has the dim lighting and people walking around smiling and drinking wine. Had a pianist playing the piano by the historical photos for the entire hall to here. We walked up the stairs and found more people chatting and drinking wine. It must have been a work group that came to enjoy themselves.

We checked out the Gingerbread house that's as big as those play houses you get for your children out back of the house. Walking into that hotel you feel special and also shows how upscale some of these places can be haha. Love to stay there just one night!

All great places to check out during these Holiday times, especially with the family or as a date. It's cheap, festive, fun, maybe a little chilly out, get out into the city. All you have to do is get parking on the street and last night was perfect. Heck hardly anyone was on Main Street last night.

Yesterday we also went to my Internship's Christmas party and that was the first time my girl friend had been to see it. My parents don't even know where it is haha. But she had a good time and we stayed for about 2 hours. Talked to them this morning and they thing that she was very lovely and said that I have picked a good one for now.

We also stopped by my grandparents on this side of town since my darling has not yet met my grandfather but has met the grandmother. We stayed for a while and chatted. I feel bad since I wont see them on Christmas or Christmas Eve since I am going with my girl friend to her uncles on Christmas. It will be the first time I didn't see them on either of those two days.

Speaking about Christmas and the day after, we here in the Richmond area are looking to accumulate about 16inches of snow supposedly. That is a lot and that is exciting also! It will ruin an Birthday plans that I maybe have but hey, I really really love a Winter Wonderland. I absolutely love it. Being snowed in at the house back in the woods is the best, especially during the holiday season. I couldn't ask for anything else from the heavens. I would love for my girl friend to stay over before it snows but her father wont let her out probably before then or to stay over so that means it will be a few days before I can see her again if it snows since she can't go out in it. My parents don't like my sister driving in that kind of weather but me, they just tell me to be careful but I really don't have the urgency for anything to go out in a 16 inch depth of snow everywhere haha. As long as it isn't ice, but snow I will be contempt!

Gosh there is just something about the beauty of snow everywhere that I love, I can't explain it. I really can't.

I don't have work for a few days, till like Tuesday so maybe I can some of those photos up for everyone to see.

I'll keep you guys updated!

Samshio ©