Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Trail of Lights

We are going to visit the Trail of Lights in Lakeway. This annual tradition is under the auspices of the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. We are catered by Interstellar BBQ of Austin. Our entertainment is Martina Mc Bride and Elvis.

Menu

BEEF KIELBASA
All beef traditional Polish-style sausage in a pork casing
JALAPEÑO POPPER SAUSAGE
Beef and pork blend in a pork casing, jalapenos, and chunks of gooey cheddar
CHOPPED BRISKET
Chopped ends sauced with Johnny’s Texas Red Sauce
PEACH TEA GLAZED PORK BELLY
Slowly smoked until tender, then glazed with our homemade peach tea glaze
TURKEY
Turkey breast brined in citrus, herbs, and Live Oak Hefeweizen, seasoned with salt and pepper.
PORK SPARE RIBS
Duroc pork spare rib; a little sweet, a little spicy
PULLED LAMB SHOULDER
Juicy pulled lamb shoulder seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar
BRISKET
USDA prime all-natural brisket seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic
Picture of an old time school bus
Let’s get on the bus.
We’ll just follow the signs.
Santa’s elf welcomes us.
Tree, Santa, and all the reindeer.
A campout scene.
The toy train.
The North Pole.
A far-away shot with the trail.
Mushrooms, birds, and flowers.
Ice skaters.
Stagecoach.
Several animals and a butterfly.
A last look back at a trail. I couldn’t hope to publish all the lights, but you know how festive this display is. Time now to relax, eat, and listen to the music. I hope you have a super week.

97 comments

  1. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

    what a colourful neighbourhood you have, John… I keep meaning to walk to town one evening to see our Christmas lights…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It does give a lift for sure. Thanks Jaye.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. karenringalls's avatar

    The people in your neighborhood put a lot of work and creativity into decorating for Christmas. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They do. Thanks Karen.

      Like

  3. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    We drove around our neighborhood last night to enjoy the lights. It was wonderful. Thanks for the beautiful tour, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There is something about the lights that gives a lift. I’m glad you enjoyed yours.

      Like

  4. GP's avatar

    So bright, so festive! My favorite tosses between the ice skaters and the stagecoach.
    I’ll try the peach tea glazed pork bellies while I decide.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good choice. Thanks for coming along, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Dave Williams's avatar

    Neat to see these various light displays. Thanks for posting the collection of them 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I wish I could have posted all but it would be a terabyte of photos. Thanks, Dave.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. markbierman's avatar

    Thanks for the tour, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for coming along. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    A very impressive display! People walk the exhibit rather than drive?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, it is all walking. More savor that way. The kids seem to love running too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        Sounds like fun!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Sue Dreamwalker's avatar

    Oh how very magical is this John… Lovely to see … I bet the children love it.. And the Child within us.. 🙂 lol… Thank you for taking us a walk through the trail of lights with you John.. 🙂
    ✨💛✨

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The kids are thrilled and it is fun to watch them with their parents. Thanks, Sue.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sue Dreamwalker's avatar

        I can only imagine the JOY xx 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    Beautiful, John. The children must be in virtual heaven seeing all the festivities. ❄️🎄❄️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The children’s reactions are really fun to watch. Thank you, Gwen.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is. Thanks, Charles.

      Like

  10. Jennie's avatar

    So pretty!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Glad you liked them, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. shoreacres's avatar

    The variety’s really nice. I got a kick out of the birds and the ‘flower garden,’ and smiled at the wheelchair at the camp fire.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought the chair was a nice touch too.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. srbottch's avatar

    Can’t go wrong with ribs and Elvis. Beautiful light display. Love the stagecoach.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Marcia Meara's avatar

    As always, I’m amazed at your neighborhood festivities and displays. What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit, and capping it off with one of my favorite Christmas songs by one of my all-time favorite singers. Thanks, John. I’m officially in the mood now, in case my five trees and huge Santa collection hadn’t already done the job. Merry Christmas!!
    ☺️🎄☺️🎄☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m so glad you are full of the spirit, Marcia. That Elvis tape brought a tear. He was at the top of his game then.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marcia Meara's avatar

        I agree. I love his Christmas music! It showed off his truly beautiful voice better than many of his most popular songs. (Though I loved them, too.) And yes, he was definitely at the top of his game then.

        I’m totally in the Christmas spirit, for sure, though some persistent health issues aren’t making it easy. Still, the season is upon us and I love it! As Andy Williams sings so perfectly, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Hope you are enjoying it fully!

        Like

  14. tokragly's avatar

    John
    First post didn’t go through. I’ll try again.
    Nice light show. And a great Elvis song.
    Do you decorate the “castle” with lights ?
    We do but no ladders involved 😀

    Merry Christmas !🎄🎄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Merry Christmas to you and yours ,Tom. We do not put up lights. I stopped doing that when we moved from the coast. There I had balconies all around the house on the two levels and light stringing was easy. This place would need a pro.

      Like

      1. Unknown's avatar
        Anonymous · ·

        Two of my neighbors hire pros to do their houses. Very nice. Makes mine look a little weak but my bride likes it so I help where I can. This the Season.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Looks like you chose the option of not signing in.

          Like

  15. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Some of those are pretty creative.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are. Thanks, Craig.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    I am a willing slave to the fun and twinkling energy of Christmas lights!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes me too except on my own house.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. circadianreflections's avatar

    I do enjoy this tradition of joining you on this tour, John. I don’t remember the ice skaters before that was a neat light set up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are new I think. The camper set-up is new also.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. circadianreflections's avatar

        That’s cool keeping it fresh. 😀🎄

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Your light tour makes sparkles of happiness, John. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Teagan. I’m glad. Hugs.

      Like

  19. Debbie's avatar

    I really like the huge Christmas tree. Some folks in my neighborhood put up a smaller one that looks much like it, and every time I pass by, I try to figure out just how they did it. I’d love to play “copy-cat”! By the way, is this a walking tour, John? The paths look almost too small for cars. Just curious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it is a walking tour. You are right, the paths are too small.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Fantastic display, John, and great music!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Tim. Glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

        I am, too! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Mae Clair's avatar

    I love stuff like this! We have display in Hershey (you drive through it) that is called the Hershey Sweet Lights. It’s a little over two miles and so festive.

    I would love being able to walk trails surrounded by Christmas lights. Beautiful, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Mae. When walking the path it is very magical.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Darlene's avatar

    What an impressive display. And 60-plus years later I still get excited when I hear Elvis sing. Thanks for that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I do too, Darlene. I loved his music.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    These are magical! My favorite were the ice skaters. Thanks for “Blue Christmas” and the great BBQ selection!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for coming along, Jo. I hope you have a super week.

      Like

  24. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    A fantastic light display, John! And Blue Christmas and Elvis are tops on my list!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Jan. I’ve liked Elvis’s music since I heard his first songs in 1955. A short story. A club I belonged to sponsored a dance in 1958 which included a local radio personality DJ. The DJ was to bring all the records. Long story short a big snowfall happened and the DJ was late. The only record we had which we used to set up the sound system was Elvis’ Christmas album. We must have played Blue Christmas (One of the few dance able songs) 20 times until the DJ showed. It all worked in the end.

      Like

  25. noelleg44's avatar

    What a magical walk with the lights. The children must love it! I do too! We did put some lights up outside our house – the icicle-dropping ones which look lovely, but the HOA discourages anything other than a wreath. To which we have emphatically said “hooey!”
    All that lovely meat – I can’t choose this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’ll bet your decorations look terrific. Tell the HOA to sue you. Thanks for coming along.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. noelleg44's avatar

        HOAs are all-powerful here in NC. But so far no push back on our Christmas lights!

        Liked by 1 person

  26. Dan Antion's avatar

    These are great, John. I love the ice skaters. That’s pretty clever.

    I’ll go with the kielbasa. Hard to pass that up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The ice skaters were fun. Yeah, Kielbasa is hard to beat.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    How colorful! I love the idea of a lighted trail 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Me too. Thanks, Marie.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. walkingoffthechessboard's avatar

    Blue Christmas is one of my Holiday favorites. Nice to hear it here, John. Thanks for the tour as well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So glad you liked it, Bruce.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Sorryless's avatar

    Tis the season and your neighborhood is bringing it!

    Elvis knew how to do Christmas songs, tell you what.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      He did. I remember watching this particular broadcast and thinking how good he sounded.McBride was no slouch either.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Seriously. He had it down. And you’re right!

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Resa's avatar

    So fabulous, John!
    I’ll bet the kids go nuts. I would have, and still do. I adore Christmas lights!
    ❤️🎄 🐂 🐂 💚🎄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Me too. Yeah the kids did go nuts for sure.
      🐂🎄 🐂🎄 🐂🎄 🐂🎄

      Like

      1. Resa's avatar

        Ahhh, the Christmas Trail of OXen!
        That’s pretty brilliant, too! 💋

        Liked by 1 person

  31. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

    The menu is perfect as always, and so is the trail. I love to see also mentioned a person in a wheelchair. That’s great and a wonderful sign of a caretaking community. xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it is. Thanks, Michael.

      Like

  32. Teri Polen's avatar

    I love Christmas lights – thanks for taking me along, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for coming, Teri. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  33. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    Wow! Wow! Wow! How lucky you are, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Robbie. We are well aware. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Dale's avatar

    What a wonderful display of lights! Good grief, does Martina McBride not age? This video is how old? She still looks as fabulous!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      This video was shot in 1969.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        I knew it was a long time ago. Man oh man, she looks fabulous!

        Liked by 1 person

  35. dgkaye's avatar

    Love this John. Bring on the light! 🙂

    Like

  36. jakepowell2017gmailcom's avatar

    Some truly beautiful Christmas lights! Thank you for sharing!

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for letting me know you liked them.

      Like