Washington Park Arboretum — Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Decided to attend the solstice event the Arboretum offers each year including a "candle" lit path, 2 drink tickets at the visitor center along with live music.  This was a paid event and apparently it was sold out.  Monarch43 and I parked on the street close to where you enter the Arboretum over the old bridge and then it's a quick walk to the visitor's center.  We got there around 6:15 wearing headlamps as it was very dark last evening.  We had umbrellas but were lucky not to need them.  Definitely dressed in layers.  First stop was to sample a drink with Arboretum Dry Gin made with one of the tree types in the Arbo called Mountain Horopito or New Zealand Pepper tree.  There were a host of other additive to made this gin (which was sold at the event).  I'm not much of a consumer of liquor but it sure tasted great on ice with club soda.  There were opportunities to socialize and listen to the musician which was nice.  Then we walked the lit path trying to keep our headlamps off to just enjoy the beauty of the path and surrounding vegetation.  There were several people but it never felt crowded so you could go at your own pace.  Back at the visitor's center we had another drink, checked out the gift shop, then walked the loop again in the other direction.  It was a fun thing to do to celebrate our shortest day (and the Arbo).  Check it out next year!