Christmas Tree Hunting in Custer National Forest

Over the river (Milk River) and through the woods, (Custer National Forest) to harvest a Christmas tree we will go, well you get the idea.

Our family went to the BLM office in Glasgow, and for a mere fin, (Five bucks) you can pick up a harvest permit to cut your own Christmas tree.

We did it every year and it is a family tradition for us and several others that we meet in Zortman, Montana.

It is a very beautiful area where you can pick out your own personal tree.

However, be forewarned it is not an easy task. You will find one that you must have, then as you drive down the remote forest road as if by magic, another wondrous tree will pop up out of nowhere and say, "Choose me"!

The BLM's Michelle Olsen, was glad to see people interested in the permit request since it has been rather lax this year. She will also issue you a map of the areas that are open for cutting of the trees and do not worry, they have a bazillion trees to choose from.

Our daughter usually will see the one that she cannot live without and of course it is way up on the side of a mountain top.

How do I know? Don't ask.

After you see the tree that you think you must have and have driven past it looking for something better you have to back track and, yep you guessed it. GONE!

Not really, you just misplaced it. So you constantly ask, "Now is that the one, or was it the other one"?

Never fear, you always will pick the right one for your family tree.

After you locate it, you have to cull it. We have a family tradition of taking our chainsaw along. It should make cutting a lot easier, however, it started and ran great in the driveway back at home but has yet to start in the forest! Never fear! That is what hearty, strong son-in-laws are for! Greg Pederson always brings a broad axe just in case.

After all that work of supervising Lin and I head the truck down to the town of Zortman and the Hotel where John and Candy Kalal reside and own the small resort as well as an RV park.

John is a Vietnam Veteran, who, with his lovely wife Candy, are the most wonderful people in the world.

Then across the street is the Zortman Café where you can indulge yourself with the most delicious cuisine that is imaginable for lunch.

It is a real nice experience for all the kids from ages 1 to 150!

Bring your thermos with hot cocoa and dress warmly. It might be very cold with an abundance of white stuff called snow, 4 wheel drive vehicles are advisable.

In Other News

In other news, apparently it is official, Sheriff Tom Boyer is running for re-election.

Atta boy, Tom. Good luck!

Oh, by the way, We still say "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"