Christmas Activities in Longmont

I've been driving by Roosevelt Park here in Longmont at night as much as I can lately. There is a large pavilion decked out in lots of bright, multi-colored Christmas lights. A few weekends ago, there were horse-carriage rides being offered that rode around the park perimeter. Inside the pavilion, there is an ice skating rink that is open until February. The same park has a fantastic rose garden and green open space during warmer parts of the year.

Last year, I was in Abilene, Texas, where it was definitely cold enough for the ice rink that they put up, but it was very small. Still, it was a far cry from the ice rink at the Woodlands Mall in the The Woodlands, Texas, where I kind of slid in a circle through some slush a few years ago.

It is about 15 degrees tonight, and it would have been a perfect day to go skating. I generally prefer to stay inside under a blanket on such days, and I did do just that today. I was driving through the downtown area this evening, very near Roosevelt park, and Main Street is lined with reds, greens, and whites of lights suspended in tree branches. The City has placed decorations of gift boxes and ball ornaments covered in lights in the large, concrete flower pots along the street as well.

If I get warm enough and inspired, I might go watch the figure skaters on Thursday nights soon, maybe some hockey another night, or maybe I'll just pick up a pair of my own skates and see if I can move myself around the rink once-just enough to say I ice skated. Ziggi's Café or the Java Stop downtown are sure to have some great hot chocolate or tea ready to warm up with afterwards. Maybe I could do a little shopping at some of the great stores downtown.

I've only just moved to Longmont, but, so far, this is the greatest and most festive downtown I've seen in a long time. We're going back to Texas for the holidays, and I'm definitely looking forward to a bit of warmer weather and seeing family. However, it would be kind of cool to have a "Miracle on 34^th Street" kind of Christmas experience here. I'm enjoying every minute of it I can.

I don't know. Maybe Longmont doesn't quite compare with the annual Santa's Wonderland that's lit up on Highway 6 outside College Station, Texas. It's so bright; you could probably see that place from space.