December 26, 2003
Christmas Stroll `03
Well this one is getting posted a little later than it should have and that is my fault (me that is—Eric) as I was going to integrate a number of the pictures from the gallery into the story. Unfortunately that was dependent on my changing the look of the site and making some other adjustments that I simply don’t have the time or the desire to do right now. So it got put off, I forgot about it until today… oh Happy Boxing Day! —Eric
December 2nd we walked down Main Street for the “Downtown Mystic Christmas Stroll” event. Luminarias lined the street on both sides and Christmas music was playing. We made our way to the park and waited for the tree lighting countdown. It was wonderful to see the tree lit for the first time and to cheer with the crowd, although Johann reserved judgment. The wind was just too cold! He got to shake hands with Santa again, which lifted his spirits a little.
Not long afterward came the boat lights show. Many of the Mystic area’s boats, including sailboats, charter and private yachts, the seaports tugboat, and even a few zodiacs were decorated with Christmas lights, in a friendly competition. The judging took place at the end of an hour long parade past the drawbridge and Mystic River Park. Everyone started to get into that, excitedly waiting and watching for what would be on the next boat. The bridge went up and the parade began. One of the best ones was the boat with the reindeer on the front, which were controlled by ropes to simulate flying in the sky. We forgot to find out who actually won the contest. I’d say it was the two crazy kayakers who slipped in at the last minute for sheer chutzpah. By the end of the boat show, I had unbuttoned my coat to wrap around Johann as I held him.
We scuttled back across the bridge to go to the book-signing at Bank Square Books. We fell in love with the story and beautiful illustrations of “The Secret Santa of Olde Stonington” by Mark Kimball Moulton and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet him and get an autographed copy of his book. Once we paid for the book we were warm enough to brave the cold again. We watched a troupe of Irish folk dancers outside the bookstore for a few minutes, then it was time to go to Mystic Pizza and head home to defrost! All I could think of at that point was that the next items on the list to knit are wool knee socks for the entire family! Lack of frostbite over fashion.
Pictures from the stroll including some of the boats and Irish dancers are in a new album called Christmas Stroll 03 in the photo gallery.