Fetching the Christmas Tree — 2021

With all the closures this year, last Sunday we decided to head into the hills to the same tree farm we’d gone to in 2010 and 2011. And we would have, except for that one final wrong turn.¹Hey, I blame Google maps, as I’d entered the address and followed directions perfectly. But maybe I should credit fate.

We saw the sign for a tree farm and its “Reservations Required” addition. We had no reservations. So, we parked and Suzi, Melissa, and Oakley went to see if we could get a tree anyways. I don’t know how you could say no to that trio. “Let’s get you a Christmas tree” and a tag later and we were waiting to get our pictures taken with Santa.

Because we had Mousse and Oakley with us, we couldn’t ride the wagon to the trees. No worries! After a short walk, we’d found our tree, right by the gravel road.

I headed back to confirm that they’d cut the tree for me (true!) and led two gentlemen back to our tree. They fired up a chainsaw, felled the tree, and hauled it thirty feet to the pickup spot.

Then we walked back to the bonfire to warm up, drink hot chocolate, and take more pictures while we waited for them to pick up, bale, and measure the tree.

When we were ready, another gentleman picked up our tree, balanced it on his head(!), and carried it to my car that way. He tossed it up, tied it down, and accepted my heartfelt gratitude.

We’d had all the fun of getting a tree and none of the work!

And here’s a map to help us find the place next year. ;-)

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  Hey, I blame Google maps, as I’d entered the address and followed directions perfectly. But maybe I should credit fate.