The Christmas Tree Hunt 2007

Today we put up our tree, a long standing Estler tradition to wait til Christmas Eve, and tho the task becomes harder (and a touch less holly jolly) the older we all get, we lower our heads, stand back, and squint. We're usually better for it in the end. But I thought I would take this opportunity, kind of a pre-tree putting-up-of celebration to tell the story of our tree 2.007 version. And lucky you, we even have photos and bonus video footage of the hunt, discovery, and kill.

I dunno where we went but it was vast. The search would be a thorough one and we would emerge with a winner, a fine pine indeed. But first we had to wait for Tyler & Melissa to show up. So we stayed warm in the tree farms quaint little shoppe that sold all sorts of Christmas decor & paraphernalia. I took this opportunity to snap a few shots.





With Tyler & Melissa still missing we decided to head out, since a big tractor arrived before our feet and walking would have been a bother (it was a big tree farm). We boarded up, but wouldn't you know, the T&M showed up just as the tractor pulled out, so they climbed a heap of old tree stumps along the roadway, Tyler using his trusty Jeep survival knife cut a nearby strings of Christmas lights, and the two swung safely onto the tractor bed, which luckily was padded with bails of hay. Phew, that was a close call.*

So the hunt was on. We were dropped deep in the thick with no supplies other than a rusty bow saw and a my camera. So I will let the photos tell the rest.

This is best viewed whilst listening to Lindsey Buckingham's Holiday Road, a la National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Just a suggestion.










Click on the photos to take you to the online album which includes the bonus video footage.

*Characters & storyline may be slightly exaggerated for added drama to an otherwise staggeringly boring turn of events.