The 2008 Christmas Parade in downtown Alpena Michigan was a smash.  This is the second year I've attended and it's not just cold, but cool.  The parade starts at 5:30 P.M. when it's dark and all the floats are lit up with lights.  Snow was falling slowly from the sky as the first float came into view.  Several marching bands including Alpena High School and Hillman High School played.  Below are pictures from this year's event.

Even the horses were decorated with lights.

After consuming large quantities of turkey and stuffing all weekend, one needs to get out and stretch.  That's exactly what I did with my neighbors Tom and Sandy Boaks.  We went out to a one of Presque Isle Township's best kept secrets, the Besser Bell Nature Area located where the village of Bell once stood.

This tree looks very bored. (or would a lumberjack say, board?)  It seems to be yawning but wouldn't you if all you had done for the last fifty years was stand in the same spot?

This tree probably has a better sense of humor as it appears to be laughing. 

Besser Bell Nature Area has a one mile foot trail, part of which travels along Lake Huron.  You can see by the photos above the lake looks cold but isn't sporting any ice of it's own yet.

When you are stopping to take pictures, you always end up at the back of the line.

Trick-or-treaters that stayed in Presque Isle Township on Halloween night were treated to another festive night at various homes in the area.

Kyla Schatz (front right) and a group of friends performed the Thriller dance made popular by Michael Jackson in the garage at her home.  After visitors followed a spooky trail through the landscaped yard, they ended up in the driveway.  The garage door raised like a curtain and the dancers performed.

  Barry Schatz offered a Rockin' Halloween Night in his living room converted into a cemetery at The Cabin On The Lake. 

The East Grand Lake Fire Department hosted a party with a haunted trail.  (Picture not available)

Here Linda Doyle greets a guest at Doyle Manor.  The Doyle's have participated in the Halloween Trail for several years.

Terry McConnell also spooked visitors at his log home in the woods.  (Picture not available)

Other photos from the evening are below.

Robert (standing next to his wife) is seen here passing the ketchup at Tom and Sandy Boaks' house on Saturday.  He dined on a Tommy Burger at a special dinner.  Tom cooked his famous hamburgers for his guests while Barry Schatz filmed the event.  The video footage has been cut down to a three minute video to be submitted to The Food Network.  The popular cable TV network is sponsoring a contest to discover the next great chef.  The winner will host their own cooking show.  Hopefully Tom will host, "Cooking At The Cabin" someday soon.  In the meantime, neighbors enjoy his food.

I did a little remodel job on my house for Halloween visitors.  Below are before and after pictures.