Crimson and violet or mulberry and plum? Or…better yet, scarlet and magenta! It all comes down to red and purple, which is my Christmas theme this year. Yes, I am one of those holiday nerds that sets a theme and color palette to guide the tree and decorations! It’s ok…I am comfortable with my slightly over-festiveness!
To further establish holiday traditions, a new adventure was accomplished this past weekend. Instead of meandering down to a nearby Christmas tree lot or making the trip to a Christmas tree farm, the family got all bundled up and headed into the Plumas National Forest to find and cut our own tree. After spending a whopping $10 on a Christmas tree permit, packing a lunch and lots of hot chocolate, we were headed out!
It took a couple hours to make it to the national forest, but the drive was very scenic and entertaining. Driving through multiple tiny towns filled with cabins, trucks, and quaint little country stores provided a non stop stream of conversation topics. And, in all honesty, it all reminded me of home in the best way and brought back tons of memories of my little town I grew up in (population 310).
All bundled up and ready to explore! Onward ho!
Once we were in the national forest, it was all about deciding which gravel/dirt/snow covered forest service road to brave and start searching for the perfect tree. This was the big winner!
We stopped a few times to wander, explore the merchandise, and of course play in the snow!
And play with rocks…can’t forget that!
After a few jaunts into the forest, we finally found the perfect tree! A Douglas Fir with even branches, a wonderfully smooth trunk, and an overall perfect shape. It was time to head home and start decorating…once we got everything secure, of course!
(I know he’s in a short sleeves, but it was 37 degrees up there!)
It was a great, exhausting day!
THAT’S SO COOL that you went and got your very own real wild tree!!! I was just imagining doing that when we have Steve… while I was setting up Grandma’s little tree in the corner of our little condo. As tradition says, I always leave the lights and garland on it so it’s just a matter of clearing out a little space and putting on the decorations. It makes me very happy and nostalgic, but I also want my son to experience the tree-hunt like you do! Now I am also remembering our many many trips with Mom and Dad out into the snowy mountains to pick out our tree… driving along looking at the shapes and sizes and imagining it in our dining room. Such good times, such precious memories! So glad you can now make your own tree-hunting memories with your own child. Thanks for sharing the story and the pics, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!