Christmas in the Rockies is simply the best. After a lifetime of searching for the perfect Christmas tree in a dismal parking lot with crowds and limited choices, or at the local home improvement store with exorbitant prices, I discovered a new found freedom and tossed perfectionism to the side. You have to abandon the thought of a “perfect” tree because there are NO perfectly shaped Christmas trees in the San Isabel National Forest. No matter how long and hard we searched we’d never find a perfectly shaped tree so the new standard becomes, “Will it fit in the house and can we get it into the Polaris Ranger?” Or, “Will THIS one be OUR perfect tree?”
We make a day of it with friends, loading up in our side-by-sides with cookies and hot chocolate, making sure our cell phone cameras are charged up, and decked out in all the layers of cold weather clothing you could possibly need. Good snow boots are a must. The only rules are that you follow the current guidelines on your very reasonably priced forest service permit; size, location, and manner of cutting down the tree.
We’re all on the lookout for something different; Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, tall and thin, short and full… We cruise the snow-covered trails then find a good place to stop and hike around scouting out possibilities. Once someone settles on a tree it’s a group effort of the guys to get it cut and into the vehicles while the ladies laugh, take photos, and get the snacks ready. There’s always an impromptu snowball fight. It’s a fun-filled day with friends and this new tradition brings me so much joy.
Christmastime at the Double G Ranch is nothing like my Christmases in Florida. Although I do miss my old life on the Gulf Coast with hibiscus flowers blooming on Christmas Day, I am so grateful for this new experience and tradition. Life is good. I am blessed.
