I had to come up to Duluth to shoot Bentleyville for my Visit Duluth photography gig. So, we made a weekend of it.
We arrived to Blake and Daniel's festive home.
The next morning Blake made us pancakes.
Theo was the pancake master (that's the Dungeon Master's spot when Daniel and Blake play D&D with their buddies).
Meadow was very excited that Blake had the good candy canes on his tree.
By good she means the fruit flavored ones.
While Theo napped I worked on the pants I'm knitting him.
Meadow told Blake to copy her which turned into these two giggling on the floor.
Once buddy boy woke up we were out for the day.
Our first stop was Fitger's to see Santa's reindeer.
That was super quick so we walked around a bit. I think Meadow liked the giant inflatable snowmen better than the sad reindeer.
The lakewalk had been washed out this year.
That didn't stop some people from walking along the lake.
"Take my picture by Santa."
We decided to go to the Mexican restaurant in the Fitger's complex, Mexico Lindo, to get an afternoon drink.
Fitger's was packed and margaritas sounded good.
Chips and margaritas.
While we can't comment on the actual food, we can say both of those were perfect.
It was kind of disappointing to see how little snow Duluth had. We have more in Minneapolis.
Next we headed to the church Blake volunteers at for their holiday dinner.
Welp, he actually volunteers for Loaves and Fishes, which just happens to use the basement.
Kind of like Thanksgiving with a bunch of kind strangers.
You could make your own reindeer candy cane.
Or hold a cute baby.
Next we made our annual visit to Glensheen. This time for their Christmas display and for Theo's first visit.
Well, I'd already been here once to create a Street View tour of the mansion sans Christmas decor.
Meadow had to find all of the elves hidden throughout the mansion.
Every time I'm here I see something new.
This is the first time I've been here at night. The lighting made the house feel very cosy.
Outside they had their "tacky light display."
I thought the hanging lanterns and ornaments were beautiful.
Some parts may have been gauche, but some parts were just magical.
OK, so I guess these are kind of tacky.
Next we headed over to Marcia's house on Park Point. Every year we keep hearing this will be her last.
Maybe this will be the last time we walked through her magical light display or maybe it wont' be.
Our next Christmas activity took us around the Twin Ports looking at the best light displays.
Well, mostly Superior.
Our first house had to be a joke.
Well, mostly Superior.
Our first house had to be a joke.
The next house did not disappoint.
Then it kept getting better.
These light displays were totally what you'd expect from Superior. No grace, but fun as hell.
Then we drove by a house with just one light display in their picture window. We had to go back to make sure we saw what we thought we saw. Indeed, someone brought their Harley into their living room and lit it up with Christmas lights for all to see.
We were hungry and it was getting late, so I ordered up some Pizza Luce.
Baked potato pizza, so good.
Good morning Theo.
When our suggestion for Black Bear was turned down, we tried out the New London Cafe for breakfast.
I just want to know where the Old London Cafe is.
We looked up our dream properties while waiting for our seat.
This was also Daniel's first time here.
Theo enjoyed his egg.
Meadow woke up with a cough and when we returned wanted to take a nap.
I also wasn't feeling good and the Packers game wasn't making it much better.
After the game I went over to Bentleyville Tour of Lights to shoot another 360 Street View tour in Duluth.
Blake and I made a Wisconsin favorite for dinner, taco dip.
Then we met up with Scott at the light display. I thought Theo would be able to see the lights better in a stroller.
This is our mildest year yet.
I'd been walking around for a few hours photographing the display and didn't even mind going around one more time.
Walk around yourself. You know you want to go next year.
See you next year, Bentleyville.
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