Who thought it would be a good idea to run into the Pacific Ocean to celebrate the new year?

Troy.

While I was at home for the holidays with the family in New Jersey [for the first time since 2004, btw], the Discovery Channel ran a special about the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, CA.

The backstory  of this ‘whimsically designed historic landmark hotel’ was quite interesting or my family was quite dull and either way I thought it would be great to see the display in person. The Festival of Lights was definitely worth the drive. Wikipedia says that there are nearly three million Christmas lights and over 400 [extremely frightening] animated figures.

A note about those ‘animated’ figures… they make the Tiki Birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room [Presented by Dole] at Disneyland look as fluid and lifelike as perhaps the Wicked Witch on The Great Movie Ride.

Although most of the lights were not LED they did have a few. Including these which were perfectly straight, something that I wasn’t able to achieve with the same set. They must know some type of voodoo magic [or own a heat gun].

The hotel is plopped down in the the middle of ‘Riverside Downtown’ which appears to just be an outdoor mall in the style of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, only less classy. So much history and presidential influence here and I still am more interested in the exit sign. Also, we were shocked to find a ice skating rink in the middle of the road. I can’t imagine how much it cost to keep that water frozen!

Week 1 has been a success!

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos on flickr.

Key ‘lessons learned’:

• Who knew Riverside downtown existed?
• Parking structures are not designed to have lights that blink to Manheim Steamroller Christmas music.
• At least someone in this world can put up their LED christmas lights straight.
• It’s a good thing that Disney’s animatronics work the way they do (fewer nightmares)
• Don’t get distracted by a green light until you stop at the red light that comes before it