Weekend trips: Bellingrath Gardens and Home

 

     Hello once again! This weekend me and my hubby did a impromptu trip to Bellingrath Gardens and home located in Theodore, Alabama. During the Yuletide season, we usually would drive around town enjoying Christmas displays throughout neighborhoods and also downtown. It's always such a joy to see how some people and establishments really decorate their places for Christmas! Last year we took a drive to Sowells farm to experience their North pole drive through display and we might also do that this year.

     We read about Bellingrath Gardens and saw pictures posted on social media and always wanted to go check it out but never really had available time. So this saturday, we just talked about it and right after my husband's work, we took the hour long drive to get their. We didn't plan to go and the weather wasn't looking that great but we went anyways. 

 

     Bellingrath Gardens and home is located in Alabama, about an hour away from where we live. Their address is 12401 Bellingrath Gardens road, Theodore, Alabama 36582 if you want to add this to your car's GPS. It's 65 acres of year round floral pageantry. A little history is That Mr. and Mrs. Bellingrath opened this up to the public in April 1032 when he announced in the papers that anyone wanting to see Spring gardens can do so free of charge. With an overwhelming response, they decided to keep it open year round starting in 1937. 

      It was a rainy day when we visited the Gardens. Our main goal was to get there early to enjoy the flowers and view and stay until night to actually see their Magic christmas in Christmas lights display. We got there around 3pm so it was still bright out eventhough it was raining. We took our time, which was about two hours exploring the whole area and taking advantage of the moment that it was'nt packed with people. We only did the garden tour and Magical lights, tickets were $16 for adults, $8 for kids 8-12. Their Magic Christmas lights are there to be enjoyed starting November 27 to January 3 and the hours are from 5pm-9pm (CST). They have a webiste as well if you would like more details and info about them. www.bellingrath.org. 

     It was such a joy walking throughout the whole Gardens. Eventhough it was pouring most of the time, it still was a magical experience. I for one had a blast of a time! From start to end, each area just got better and better, and just when you think you saw it all, it only gets more magical! Beautiful plants, flowers, structures, beautiful trees and fountains, little resting areas to stop and enjoy and breath in the beauty of nature. On top of it all, the Magical Christmas light displays where each area you go to has a different theme. North pole, Nativity, Boardwalk, Mardi Gras and much more. The one I enjoyed the most to see was the Asian theme where it had a huge fire breathing dragon made out of Christmas lights and Chinese lanterns. The music played around the park made me dance with joy!

     Bellingrath Gardens and Home also has a home tour where you can walk through and explore the Bellingrath's home, they also have The Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain showcasing  137 rare and early porcelain sculptures by Edward Marshall Boehm. A food truck with plenty of seating around it is located in front of the house while the Beginning and end of the walk starts off with a gift shop and a restaurant. 

     All in all it was a lovely experience and I had so much fun, even the rain didn't dampen our spirits because rain or shine, it's a very beautiful and magical place. I will also include a video below so you can walk along with us throughout. I do apologize because it was a little shaky and some parts had light glare throughout the view becasue of water drops sitting on the lens which also gave it's stabilization feature a hard time processing. And yes, I was shooting it all on a GoPro Hero 9 where you can also see on my youtube channel, I will appreciate it if you gave it a peek when you visit my channel. I am still a newbie when it comes to editing videos but I know practice makes perfect. 

One thing I noticed about Christmas is the extra love and care shown by one person to another, like bottling up emotions throughout the year and letting it out on Christmas. But why wait until Christmas? Express your love EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. ~Lovely

                                                                                                     Till next adventures, Lovely.