douter wrote:
What once was, St. Louis!? What is a tree going for these days in your nook of the woods, Kent? Didja cut your own?
Douglas
Don't know about around town, but we went to a tree farm (not in the picture) about an hour from the house. The prices ranged from $40 - $110-ish, depending on species and size. We got a nice 6-7 foot fir ... very Goldilocks, middle of the price range.
They had an extensive variety and you could get trees off the showroom, ready to go, or in stands to ball / burlap for replant, or to the "lot" ... or the tractor-wagon ride out to the farm, where you walk the land and cut your own. We took the ride out, and walked the farm, crunching through the snow, row after row ... till we found "the one".
On the ground with the hand saw, and then dragged it up to the drop off / pick up. The farm then took the tree to the "shaker stand" to get the loose stuff off ... then to the "boring stand" (where they aligned / drilled the trunk for the spike style stands). After that, it went through the "twine stand" to prep it for transport. Then, you went through the "drive through", and they loaded it up for you.
After all that, it was time to talk with Santa, and have some large cups of cider ($2) and that helped with veteran / toys for tots / etc.) and shared a big chili dog ($5).
It was quite the winter scene of bustling activity of families and friendly folks ... but, no cameras were allowed (my boss, said so ... ) on this venture. It was dedicated "family" time, only.
On the way BACK, however ... Santa thought I'd been a good boy, and let me play for a few.
) on this venture. It was dedicated "family" time, only.
