How I’ve missed smiling (well, smizing these days) at fellow Charlotteans while taking in the smells, sounds, and bright lights of South End.
The “I Heart Rail Trail” Lights exhibit provided just such an opportunity for my family. This little jaunt added a lot of relief and warmth after a week of rain and months of pandemic hunkering down–even on a chilly evening.
We set out while the sun went down, taking in nature’s light show too as we whittled away time. We strolled the route, my daughter and son at times skipping, through six unique installations.
Added bonuses? The ArtWalks CLT murals we passed along the way and our dining options. I had been wanting to try Flower Child, so that was our final destination (good vibes for sure–especially from the scenery, cauliflower, and house-made Sangria).
As we left the final Lights stop prior to dinner, a musician was playing Ella Fitzgerald’s tune:
“Blue skies smilin’ at me
Nothin’ but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singin’ a song
Nothin’ but blue skies from now on…”
Maybe that’s why my heart felt more buoyant than it has in a while. Perhaps it was just the fun of getting out and about others in our community for an evening. Quite possibly, it was only the cute dogs all around. But my gut tells me it was something more. Something like the perpetual act of light’s ability to shine through darkness.
Treat your family and yourself to this excursion, at no cost to the public, now through March 7th.
