Oregon Zoo Lights 2011

My friend David from California came up to Portland to hang out for New Years again this year. Last year we went up to Seattle, but this year we stayed in Portland. On New Year's eve we headed out to the Oregon Zoo to take in the zoo lights. This was my first time to experience this Portland holiday tradition. It was pretty amazing to see how they transform the zoo with so many lights. In addition to the lights around the exhibits and throughout the walking parts of the Zoo you can also take a train ride that takes you through areas of the zoo that you can't get to by walking and showcases even more light features.

My favorite part was how they transformed the zoo amphitheater grounds into a virtual African savanna scene complete with crocodiles, hippos, rhinos and elephants. After experiencing zoo lights for the first time I will have to make the effort to include this more often in my holiday plans.