Walter Bellingrath, president of one of the first Coca-Cola bottling companies in the Southeast, and his wife, Bessie, built their home and gardens in Theodore, near Mobile, Alabama, in 1935. The gardens are open to the public and the house is now a museum.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath. Last year it made USA Today‘s 2014 list of “10 Best Public Light Displays in America.” This is not a drive-through. We parked in the parking lot and walked the gardens. We did not pay the extra fee to tour the mansion, which I’m sure was amazing all decked out in Christmas decor. Next time.

Being from cold and snowy Minnesota it takes some getting used to to see alligators, armadillos, opossums, and sea life in the holiday lights. Not to mention it was 70 degrees and very humid.

We left the Escapees RV park on the east side of Mobile AL and are now in an RV park on the west side of Mobile, closer to the Bellingrath lights. Tomorrow we will move into Mississippi.

• Admission: $30
• Lodging: $30  (-$3 Good Sam discount, +$3 Taxes)