Oh Christmas tree

 

Now that's the way to do it. All you need is a $5 permit to cut a tree in the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. And with 3.8-million acres of public lands, you're sure to find the perfect one. Back in Seattle, we'll drive to McLendon's Hardware in lovely White Center and buy a small farm-raised tree.  Not quite the same somehow.

After that strangely dry November, the weather in the Northwest suddenly took a turn for the worse. Snow is piling up like crazy in the mountains, and we'll even get some lowland snow this week in Seattle. Thank you, La Nina. Luckily, on Saturday we had a short window between the storms and drove home under mostly sunny skies.

The first 35 miles were beautiful with the sun shining on the snowy hills and the road all to ourselves at that early hour. When we got to the Columbia River, a cold mist was rising off the water for an eerie, awesome sight. The wild and ancient geology through that area certainly puts our petty problems and human lifespan into perspective. 

Speaking of that, it's shaping up to be a snowy winter in Twisp and my nice elderly snow plowing neighbor has just gone out of business. Darn. I liked and trusted him, and now have to find another local to plow the driveway all winter. It will work out, just a bit of a hassle.