Perfect Weather all week...

Looks like the final week for the trail will be all about nice weather.
We will stay open through January 1st.

Spent a good part of Monday looking and ordering new items for next year.
With new sponsors aboard, we will have some great new displays!

Christmas night 2011...we are ready!

The rain has chilled and we are ready! Merry Christmas

Trail Closed tonight due to rain!

Trail closed tonight Saturday December 24th but hopefully the weather will cooperate for Christmas!

Christmas eve update...

Record crowds last night...tonight with the latest rain event, not likely.
Fingers crossed the rain subsides by Christmas night!
Merry Christmas to all....Hugs

Another perfect night on the trail....

Tonight was crazy fun busy...perfect night for the trail with the cool weather.
Meeting new folks, answering questions while hearing their stories always has a place in my heart.
Seeing all the smiles and joy the trail brings is simply the best Christmas gift I could ever ask for.

Tonight /Wednesday's weather good until late!

Bring it on! The bad weather is not suppose to hit until midnight then be gone by early morning.

The trail will stay open until 11pm all week.....

Hopeful for 6:45 trail opening...

75% of the lights are functioning and the rest need to dry out....

Hot cocoa and donut night!

Tonight, Friday will be Hot cocoa and Shipley donut night!
Activities get kicked off around 5:30.....

Rain Gods....no rain tonight ..please

Thursday night: Open....

85% of lights working....trail opened for now! Hopefully no huge downpours...

Rainy days ahead! We should be open Tuesday night!

Rain forecast for the next week.
Please check for daily updates.
Drizzle we can handle...rain typically triggers the GFCI's......

Hot chocolate and donuts Friday

Weekend traffic was busy.
We have blocked off the culdesac this year for safety purposes.

Friday night is Hot Chocolate and Shipley Donut night! (weather cooperating of course)
We will kick off the festivities around 5:30....
Bring a smile.....

Friday night Success

Tonight was out first Big night.
The trail was busy right up until 10:30.
Everything is complete for the most part. Always little additions and repairs here and there. Each and every person asks the same question, "Where do you store all this"? I told one lady, "Under my bed"!
Gratitude by most is the overwhelming theme which I am thankful for.

The last couple to walk through this evening were from Puerto Rico. He was in Austin for meetings. They too were shocked.....glad to rock peoples worlds....

Open for the Holidays people!

So maybe the trail was a bit of a disaster after all the rain and wind however we are ready to go!

Tuesday

Tuesday night we should be able to resume Pete's trail.
We will uncover all the inflatables, damage control, clean up and dry out.

No lights tonight

Due to rainy weather Pete's Trail of Lights will be closed tonight and probably the next couple of nights after.

Closed tonight!

Due to the weather, the Trail will be closed tonight and possibly all weekend. Bummer....guess we need the rain :-)

Weather....

With the backyard completion today and the rest of the front tomorrow.....rain is in the forecast beginning Friday evening. Just know if it is raining, the Trail will be closed. As much as we need the rain, my hope is just one or two nights rather than four!

I must say, it is really coming together and looks great this year.....

December 1st...completion

We are so close...major strides made on Sunday. The rain and wind were a big set back however we sure needed the rain. Be sure and check the blog/Facebook for weather updates. Rain forecast for this weekend.
Excited for everyone to see the new props this season.

Remember to bring mens clothing donations!  Coats, sleeping bags, blankets, socks, underwear, gloves, thermals, etc!
Enjoy.....

Open for business....

We will be open Thanksgiving night.  We are about 80% complete.
Please be patient as we have about one more week of work!
All good stuff....

Thanksgiving is nearing....Yikes!

The guys that normally help have been busy this season with their own business hence we are a bit behind. Because of the LED light investment, we have to install and uninstall the tree lights. In the past, we left them in the trees each year. The trees are nearly complete.

I built/assembled the tunnel yesterday. That is also a major feat and a huge relief!
Friday was a 14 hour day and Saturday was 9am - 2am! And loving it.

Most of the main front yard is complete. Today I will compete the side yard, the tunnel lighting and curb props. Also hope to start on the tent.

I find myself troubleshooting and repairing as I go. By the end of the season, the thought is pack everything up as fast as possible for next year. Inevitably an item or three will conk out. On occasion, it is easier to dispose of the item and move on. A moment of silence is always in order!

Later cats.........

Trail of lights progress....

The late nights have begun and loving it!
The great part about the night is being able to visualize and see the immediate result of placement.
Most items are rarely in the same spot from year to year.

The tents were delivered by Marquee Tents yesterday.
The tents hold all the plush, dancing santas, etc.
The large 10x20 tent is donated each year by David Munoz of Marquee Tents. We are truly grateful.

Today we finish the backyard trees. Hopefully the extra 3000 LED lights arrive today.
 I am thankful Matt has no height issues and climbs high up into the timber zone.

A new item this year will be a Rocket. Today we will dress the rocket and attempt to finish the display/pedestal for the rocket.

We try to have this 80-90% compete by Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is early this year and we are a running a bit behind however Matt has four guys this year so we will see! Stay tuned....

The time is now!

With the news of Austin's trail of lights canceling 2011, well just know we will have record numbers again this season. This weekend we will begin the process: retrieving decorations from storage, cleaning up, repairing, assembling, testing, sorting, organizing, etc.

As with all the past seasons, I have no idea where anything will go. I tend to be an organized person however there is no rhyme or reason. I just go with it.

There are several new themes/decorations this year including a "rocket"!
Stay tuned for more details.
The goal is to "flip" the switch on Thanksgiving night.

Last year was our first year to accept donations both monetary and clothing.
As you can see on our website, we donate annually to Mobile Loaves and Fishes along with Angel House and the YMCA.

3 Months people!

Difficult to focus on Christmas with day 46 of 100 degree heat!
However the preparations have begun to take place.
I plan on adding a some cool stuff  including a curtain of lights at the entrance along with Missiles! That's right not Mistle but missile. No idea how that is going to turn out but can't wait to start building them.

Several Christmas in July specials are about to end hence I need to jump on those.

A kind patron dropped off decorations for the trail the other day. No idea who but  heck yes!

Pete's Trail of Lights...6.5 months to go...yikes!

Seems like the trail of lights has matured into quite a holiday landmark.
I was at a local eatery this past week when a patron started discussing the guy in Circle C with the trail of lights.

With a mere 6.5 months left until the fun begins, the pre-ordering begins!
Some of the wholesalers offer a 20% discount which obviously is a nice incentive.
We will have many more overhead lights this season along with several walls of lights.

I placed several post-Christmas sale orders. Is it wrong that I never remember what I order?
That's sort of the insane fun I have with all of this. There is no plan!

I have some cool new ideas/plans for walkways and props.
That's all for now.....

Donations

Margaret:
If you would like to donate to our trail, go to www.petestrailoflights.com.
Click on the Blog link. You will see a PayPal link in the lower left hand corner.
We are always grateful....

Tonight is the finale!

Last night to walk the trail of lights!
This year has been so rewarding in many ways. I was sharing a few stories with a buddy of mine last night. He had some inspiring insight which I had not thought of.
Folks are so grateful. This was our first year to take donations both monetary and clothing.
I was blown away. The money will go towards new lights, Pedernales Electric, donations to YMCA, Angel House and Mobile Loaves.

I have some great ideas for next year. Thanks for all your feedback. Feel free to drop off clothing donations (mens), toiletries, blankets, back packs, etc all year long. Also, I will take any Christmas outdoor decor and lights as donations for next season.

I have already began making purchases for next season. We will begin in October!