Washington State is rich with interesting parks, garden and buildings to visit. This summer, fall and winter, we made a point of taking a day out of our schedules to visit some of the places that you see here. For more information about the them: e-mail us at: apsychicspeaks@yahoo.com.

The Botanical Gardens in Bellevue, WA will keep you guessing on how many people it took to put together so many lights in so many hours to make this beautiful garden of lights. The night was very chilly but that didn't stop the people of all ages from coming to walk the paths, take photos, or shop in the Gift Shop. This little sign really says it all. The Garden d'light is right!

This beautiful arch by the Gift Shop looks like the work of angels, fairies and elves. So delicate, so inviting, so enchanting, it begs come in my garden and enjoy the wonderland. The purples, greens, the reds, pure color, crisp and clean. Hurry only a few days left to enjoy it.

This beautiful scene of a Sea of Lights was a wonder to behold. How could they do this so well? Come enjoy the fantasy!

The garden not only displayed flower sculpture lights, but animal sculpture lights; there was a spider, frog and a crocodile sculpture in lights. There was even a parrot....and this Monkey hanging in a tree!

Welcome to Joyland a wonderful greeting to all who came miles to see the beautiful light display. The air was crisp and cool on the cheeks. As we walked around camp, music could be heard everywhere, in the tents, inside the buildings and on loudspeakers. The fragrance of the bonfire and the pine trees mixed with popcorn and hot dogs made us feel energetic like teenagers out for the first time.

Millions of Lights and more. Here is a mountain scene one of several that are placed around the camp. There is a waterfall scene of bright blue and white lights that cascades to a pool of lights on the bottom.

Large sucker candy stand tall displaying the beautiful lights and colors. Many other statues dot the grounds that are just as beautiful some of them animals and others plants.

The Ornaments hanging from the tall trees where so impressive, they truly made the camp feel like a fairy tale wonderland.

This arch of flower lights near the pond was one of many arches placed around the camp. Some of the arches where covered all around with lights that we could walk through. Other arches marked off areas that took us to another fantasy period.

The Pathway of Light at Greenlake was a sight to behold! Around the lake lanterns are place about 4 feet apart in sacks and burn for about a hour or so. Many people walked around the lake, pushing strollers, walking dogs, or with their loved one, holding hands. Carolers could be heard from the tent along side the lake, and the tent with cookies and hot cider was very cheery. The weather was cooler, but warmer than Monday when we stood around the bonfire waiting for the X-Mas ships.

Missy on the left and Jimmy on the right, two neighborhood dogs out with their owners, wearing decoration around their necks delighting the children and (older folks, like the one taking their photo). People would stop and pet them which they didn't seem to mind. If most people would be patient and tolerant like them, the world would be a more pleasant place to live.

The ice on the lake was still enough to allow some nice reflection of the homes across the water. The night was clear and crisp and even though this was taken at night, you can still make out some of the images of the buildings.

The Christmas Ship Festival is a local tradition for over 60 years that is enjoyed by many Seattle residents. The official Christmas ship is Argosy's Spirit of Seattle that is decorated with hundreds of lights and garland. The Christmas Ship Festival begins in November after Thanksgiving and ends a day or two before Christmas Eve. The Festival includes a variety of Argosy vessel that are decorated inside and out and may include people on board to enjoy activities and listen to choirs on shore that wait around bonfires to greet the ships.

The Bonfires on Richmond Beach keep us warm while waiting for the Christmas Ships to come in. There were two groups of school classes singing Christmas and Holiday songs. There was lots of excitement in the air and just about everyone had a dog or child in tow.

The Christmas Tree Lighting event is held each year in front of the Westlake Center and is the highlight of the season for many. Peggy, Linda, Shirley and I took a bus down to the event and as this was the first time any of us attended, we had a wonderful time. The music was uplifting and the weather was good. The snow, "soap bubbles" was an added fun thing to the music. The beautiful lights from the tree, star and carousal brought enjoyment to the event. The fireworks were an extra delight.

At the end of the ceremony, a fireworks display from the top of the Macy's building was the topping on the cake. The circle of white in the center of the photo appears to be an orb, what it really is, we will never know, although it does add an interesting image amongst the fireworks.

The Macy's Star in the middle of Seattle downtown is a sight to behold! A symbol of hope, wishes, fortune, white light, beauty, goals and the Magi looking for the Christ child. The star is used to top the Christmas tree as way to shine our path to spiritually. The star has many different meanings in other cultures, but because this is Christmas time, we choose to focus on the Christmas meaning.

The antique Carousal makes it's yearly showing at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Seattle for its holiday tradition. Many young child and oldsters alike await the lighting and music of the carousal for their ride. The beautiful horses each painted in bright beautiful shades of pink, blue, black, green and red tickle the eyes. This is one of my favorite things.

The Carousal Pony brings wonderful delightful dreams to the hearts of the small children. With visions of Santa, elves, reindeer and Christmas gifts, the pony allows us to experience our fantasy during this season no matter what the age.

What is Christmas without a little humor? Here a group of people displaying signs that read "Buy More Stuff"

The Pumpkin Store on a Pumpkin Farm near Mount Vernon on our day trip before Halloween. So many pumpkins and squash and all sizes, shapes and colors to choose from.

The Corn Maze on the Pumpkin Farm near Mount Vernon on our day trip was fun to explore and navigate. The tiny orange dots inbetween the corn husks are pumpkins.

Alpine Lake is on the way to Wellington, WA and the Snow Shed, off the beaten path. Can you see the shark and the dinosaur in the rock formation? The rock in middle of the photo is sitting in a carved out stone made by Mother Nature. An exciting day trip indeed.

The Snow Shed in Wellington, WA, where the trains would pass through when coming from the East Coast to West Coast. This area is inhabited by "ghosts" according to the local legend. Recently a team of professional ghost hunters spent the night looking for ghosts. This day trip was quite exciting and we had a personal trip guide.

Is this one of the ghosts of the Snow Shed in the arch way? This white image appeared on the film but was not noticed when it was taken. What is your thought about it? This Snow Shed is about 3/4 of a mile long.

Decption Falls in on the way to Wellington and the Snow Shed and Alpine, WA. The Falls flows under the Highway and cascades from the higher side of the road to the lower where it emptys in to small basin surrounded by downed trees.

This beautiful fountain greets guests at the local Hotel in Port Townsend, WA. Another fun day trip we took this August.