2026

Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to OCTOBER. My header photo this month shows a gorgeous picture showing beautiful Autumn Colors God's Blessings to YOU for an awesome month.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Lights from Patriot Park (Pigeon Forge, TN)

After seeing the lights in Gatlinburg (this past Friday's post),  we drove to the nearby area of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee,  to park and walk around Patriot Park.   We had been to this park before a few years ago (with Judy and Charlie)---but there were some different light displays this year... They usually keep some 'old favorites' at the park--but they add new displays each year... Here are some of the displays we saw this year.  You can enlarge the pictures to 16x10 by clicking on the photos.

The picture above shows a great depiction of the Raising of the Flag at Iwo Jima by our MARINES.  To the left is an ARMY tank.




Since they were honoring all of the branches of the armed forces,  this picture shows a NAVY Aircraft Carrier in the center.   And--you can see the airplane to your left --representing the AIR FORCE.




This picture shows a COAST GUARD Cutter.   I loved seeing the details in these wonderful light displays.




AND here is a better picture showing the airplane belonging to the AIR FORCE.




These next two pictures are displays that are at the park every year...  This Paddlewheeler represents life along the big rivers here in the USA.




And this neat display shows a Plantation Home beside the Live Oak trees, complete with Spanish Moss..   I visited some plantations like this one in southern Lousiana.  (Ever been to Oak Alley?????)  Wow!!!




Finally,   here is one more picture showing my favorite this year, the Raising of the Flag at Iwo Jima...  AND---if you look above the flag,  you will see a gorgeous  "almost-full"  moon shining over us!!!!  How AWESOME is that!!!!

Hope you enjoyed our photos from Patriot Park this year....  God Bless AMERICA and God Bless our TROOPS.

Have a wonderful day!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Lights in Gatlinburg, TN

As I mentioned in my last blog post,   George and I spent a few days in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with good friends, Judy and Charlie.  We went just to be together and enjoy each other's company at the Rocky Waters Motor Inn---but we also went to see the gorgeous Christmas lights in  Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  (Those city leaders go ALL out in those 'resort' towns, and George and I haven't been there during the Christmas season in awhile.  By going during the week before schools are out,  there weren't many people around --which was wonderful!!!) 

Before dinner,  Charlie drove us through Gatlinburg ---but we didn't get any pictures then.  BUT--my Sweetheart later (after we got back to the room) walked back down toward town and took a bunch of great photos...  Hope you enjoy seeing some of Gatlinburg all lit up for the season!!!!  In the picture above,  you can see the Space Needle sticking up in the distance... Anyone who has ever spent time in the 'burg has been to or seen the Space Needle.  Click on the pictures to enlarge them...




This big horse could be seen from our motel...  Isn't he gorgeous?






Want to take a walk through the lights????















For those who know about Gatlinburg,  this picture was taken near the Aquarium.  Love the Christmas tree!!!!

I have many more pictures to show you ---but that will be next week.   There were fabulous pictures in Pigeon Forge and we walked around Patriot Park and took patriotic pictures...  SO---that will be next week.   Hope you enjoyed some pictures from Gatlinburg today.

Have a wonderful weekend --and I'll see you on Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy