Nature Essay Week 1

           I love this time of year the air is cold and the ground is covered with snow. This will be our first time visiting Piper Mountain to cut down our Christmas tree. I pack 3 hats, mittens and a scarf for each of us we strapped on our winter boot and piled into the car. The roads where icy so the drive was slow going. 

           After we finally made it to Piper Mountain I couldn’t believe how many people where there. We make our way to the back of what looks like a sea of cars and trucks. Our Jeep pulled in alongside a small two door Saturn I could envisioned them driving down the interstate with 10 foot tree strapped to the roof of that little red car, the kids in the back singing Christmas carols and the parent humming along. It doesn’t matter what you see when you are full of the Christmas spirit everything has a happy ending. 

           The air was crisp and clean full of pine and wood smoke, the wind blow right into my face briefly taken my breath away. I took a slow, deep breath and pulled my hat down over my ears, at that moment I also pulled my scarf up over my nose the smell of warm wool was over powering. It’s only two in the afternoon and it looks like the sun is thinking of setting just over the ridge of trees in the west. The clouds are starting too sparkly with touches of pink and blue, the horizon looks a little smoky with anticipation.

           While Darrell was going to get the saw and sled, I looked at the rows and rows of spruce trees. Spaced so perfectly apart like a line of well behaved kindergartners just waiting for their time to be brought home and dressed up. I stare at the first tree in the row and the examination starts; it’s too short and not quite straight. When did Christmas become about having to have the perfect tree?  It’s too much presser to find the right tree, give the right gift and spend the right amount of time with the family.

           We walk past a father and his son starring down what they think is the perfect tree. The little boy of about four years old keeps running the tree then his dad yelling “Mommy is going to love it, cut it, cut it”. I smile because you can tell this tree is a cousin of the Charlie Brown tree, but the Dad takes a knee and starts to cut. This dad has found the perfect way to find a tree.

           I look down at Garrett and ask “Does any of these tree jump out at you?”

We walk down row after row we see short, tall, fat and thin but none of them made my little boy eye twinkle. I almost trip over a small group of stumps and I look up Garrett has stopped then he slowly walks around the tree. A touch of the needles with his gloved hand and turns to me all he has to do is nod his head and we knew this was the one. I couldn’t have picked out a better tree.  The needles had a healthy glow of green, the branches where full but you can still see the trunk. It wasn’t too wide and the perfect height for our small house. She leaned to the left slightly but it gave her a little character. We look at Darrell and see if he also approves of our pick, “Looks good, should I cut it down?” Garrett and I say at the same time “Yes”.

           As Darrell starts cutting the tree I look back at the sky the sun is just started touching the horizon, it looks like it’s the sun and sky’s first kiss. The sky is full of flashes of oranges, yellow and reds. I help Darrell roll the tree onto our sled and we make our way back to the cabin. I know I could use a cup of hot cider to warm me up.