Winter Wonderland

Miss Ima Hogg was an important patron of the arts in Houston. Her home Bayou Bend, a John Staub designed mansion located on 14 acres near downtown, is one of Houston’s treasures.

Each year it is converted into a winter wonderland that delights thousands of visitors.  Crossing the bridge that leads to the property is like entering a magic kingdom.

Carolers voices greet visitors with favorite Christmas songs.

Everywhere there are lights, millions of them illuminating the grounds.   Thinking about the effort  required  to set up and then take down is staggering.

Without question, there is something for everybody.  Children sit on Santa’s knee and fill his ears with their Christmas wishes.

They stand in awe of a towering tree and the train that goes round and round it.

They squeal with delight as they hurl pretend snowballs occasionally hitting someone who happens to be in their path.

Kids and adults alike slide in tubes down a hill which is about as close as it gets to sledding in Houston.

What really got our attention was the virtual reality created on the side of a building.  It was so lifelike that it was hard not to think of it as real.  Technology is, indeed, amazing!

So much to see made it necessary to take a break or two, and there was plenty of refreshment, including a food truck there serving tasty TexMex to hungry visitors.

For sure it is spectacles like this winter wonderland at Bayou Bend that make the holiday season something special.

i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind