Zoolights....A Twinkling Sensation

I'd been checking the weather reports for 3 days before Saturday arrived.  We wanted to go see Zoolights Saturday night but we didn't want to do it in the rain.  The reports were looking good, but I still checked carefully Saturday morning, just to be sure.  Yep, we were going to be good to go!

For the past 4 years we'd gone to Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on a Saturday night after Thanksgiving.  We always go with Stephanie, Darin, Zoey and Mackenzie to see the beautiful lighting display at the zoo.  It's called Zoolights.  Each holiday season the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium decorate the entire zoo grounds with fantastic lights in all the colors you can imagine. 

We drove our SUV because we have the 3 rows of seats to hold everyone.  We picked the kids up at 4:00 and the girls were pretty excited about going. (click on photos for a larger view)

It took about 45 to 50 minutes to drive from Tumwater to the waterfront at the Port of Tacoma.  By the time we got there, it was dark.  The lights will look really good now.  The gates opened at 5:00 and there were already people waiting in line.  We got our tickets and were ready to see the show.

Almost all of the zoo animals are safely tucked away in their zoo homes.  They still have a few reptiles to observe in their special area and we saw some meerkats in a habitat area as well.  We didn't come to see the animals this time anyway, we came to see Christmas lights.  It was very cold (probably 40 degrees F) with a bit of wind off the water, but we'd all come prepared with heavy coats, hats and gloves.

The paths are well lit by the rope lighting, so there is no danger of falling because you cannot see where you are going.  The zoo is handicapped accessible, and it is easy for wheelchairs and motorized scooters.  You can actually rent those here if you have the need.

Almost every shrub and many of the trees are done up with the colorful lights.  There are some large candy cane lights to show the way here in this area.

There is also a huge rainbow of lights leading the way to the Kids' Zone.  Zoey and Mackenzie are hopping under the rainbow here.

There was one really beautiful tree done up with green and purple lights.  It stood out easily among the other trees.

There were camel rides this year, but we didn't do those.  They wanted an additional $5.00 to ride a stinking camel being led around a small ring.  No thanks, but there was a cute display with camels to mark the area.

This tree with lighted snowflakes was a new display this year.

We also found a nice arrangement of deer.  The girls really liked these.  

Before we left, Zoey and Mackenzie got a ride on the antique carousel.

This is a nice zoo, and the kid's come here several times throughout the year to see the animals and watch the shows.  Stephanie always buys the "yearly family pass" and then they can come as often as they want...plus we all get in free to Zoolights that way!  Can't beat that with a stick!

After we left the zoo, we drove over to the wharf area and ate dinner at Duke's Seafood Restaurant.  They have good food (and some healthy choices) and the girl's will eat good meals there.  We had a great evening of fun and I'm glad we went this past Saturday....I checked the weather for next Saturday and we are supposed to have rain and a "HIGH" of 33 degrees in Tacoma.  Holy Smokers....that could mean that dreaded "S" word could be on the way.  Hope not.

Until next time......so long for now!