Because I did not spend Thanksgiving Day cooking this year, we thought it would be super cool to head to the hills and cut down our own Christmas tree.
The plan = meet up with some business associates of the padre who are bringing four snow mobiles and venture onto their own property (no permit required) and cut down the tree of our dreams. Hence, not too much walking, not too much time, should be fun!
The actual event = associates were not at the designated meeting place at the designated time, so we thought we would just start up the road and they would catch us and pick us up.
With the teenagers and the chain saw in tow, we were off! (Notice Melanie in my sweet circa 1980 moonboots and Dustin in my white circa 1990ish sorels. Nice to know they are secure with who they are and what they wear!)
We are in high spirit! We can do this thing! Let's go!
It was warmer than we had anticipated, and much, MUCH further! And the associates still had not arrived and we did not bring any water for our unplanned hike!
"This chain saw is heavy and I'm tired! This is so dumb! There aren't even any pine trees up here! We're going to end up doing all 'this' and then going and buying a tree at Smith's!" At least we are having a bonding experience :)
To rub salt in our wounds, a random truck passes us hiking up the road. Why didn't we drive OUR truck up this road? WHY??
Still no snow machines and no associates. And we have arrived at the head off the road point and up a steep ravine in deep, unpacked snow to look for a pine tree. ANY pine tree will do at this point!
The Associates FINALLY arrive! But with only two snow machines, one of which promptly runs out of gas, literally, upon greeting us! So -- we continue to hike -- sort of!
When what to our wondering eyes we behold??? TREES! And a pretty nice view, too!
We found what we thought was the PERFECT tree! Success!
Our hearts are full of love and joy! We hiked the whole way and we only complained a little (sort of)! Now to get this beauty home so we can enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner!
Melanie and Dustin pulled. Dustin and I pulled. Melanie and I pulled. The Padre just smiled and was lucky to get his person up and down the mountain due to his six week old knee replacement.
Home at last! We trimmed the tree so it would fit into our house and ... alas!! What happened to our lovely fluffy beautiful majestic tree??
It is scrawny! And has all these weird branches shooting upward! And it isn't fluffy and full, nor majestic at all!
Not to worry! With a little love and tender care, not to mention some lights and a few (a very few, the branches won't hold many) decorations, our Christmas tree stands tall and proud!
And now we all feel to repeat the words of Linus, the wise philosopher, "I never thought it was such a bad little tree." Besides, you can't BUY those kinds of memories!
Merry Christmas!!!
I'm glad you had this experience this year so we know to politely say "no thanks" when you suggest it next year :)
Posted by: Dana | December 10, 2011 at 08:41 AM