Back to the Botannical Gradens

 We made our annual visit to the holiday trains at the Botannical Gardens.  This is always such a fun trip!

They run the trains through a magical landscape of plants and fairy houses made from plant materials.

This year, there was no "theme" to the houses, but we really enjoyed this tableau of the Billy Goats Gruff.

 Most of the rest were curious trolls and fairies with occasional castles.Combined with 5 or 6 train sets going at once (some of them going over our heads!), it was enchanting.

 My favorite was this Japanese castle with a dragon perched on top.  You can spy the little bug train passing in front, but what is harder to see is that it is nestled between two ten foot waterfalls in a perfectly scaled bonsai forest!

On the right, at the foot of one of the falls, is a mermaid.

All very fun, and a great way to get into the holiday spirit!