To love beauty is to see light.
~Victor Hugo
Armed with my camera and in the company of ‘Mamas with Cameras,’ I went to Olympic Manor and found myself in a world of lights. Bundled up (it was a COLD night), a dozen mamas strolled through an entire neighborhood of magical homes.
If you’re a lover of all things Christmas, including the best light displays in town, look no further than Ballard’s Olympic Manor. The community creates extravagant displays during the month of December, and many Seattleites make it an annual tradition to walk or drive along the streets (I’ve heard it’s not unusual to see hired limos). In fact Olympic Manor community actually encourages holiday decorations as part of their homeowners association rules.
Some of the homes are outrageously decorated in all their light bulb glory (I couldn’t help but wonder what their electricity bills come to), with larger-than-life-sized inflatable Santas, reindeer and penguins. There are homes with themes (read: LOTS of candycanes or tropical palm trees).
You can start your tour at Northwest 85th Street and 23rd Avenue Northwest and wind your way around the streets, as you pass mid-century homes. Olympic Manor is a great place to go with family or friends this holiday season or, as I did, hang out with an awesome bunch of camera-toting moms and learn a few new photography tricks (check out my “hearts” light drawing below and can you find the photographer–me–in the red ball!).
Peace on Earth
Take the road less traveled, Beth
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