A Christmas Memory: Buddy The Bear and My First Live Christmas Tree
November 2024
This past holiday season, I got to experience something I'll treasure forever: cutting down my first live Christmas tree! The adventure began with a cozy stay at Black Rock Mountain State Park in northeast Georgia, where my boyfriend and I rented a charming cabin for four days and three nights. Nestled amidst the beauty of the Chattahoochee National Forest, the park provided the perfect backdrop for a magical pre-holiday getaway.
We arrived on a Thursday evening just after dark, and were greeted by an unexpected visitor: a black bear! Between our cabin and the one next door, the bear’s large frame caught my attention. "bear!!", I shouted. We got so excited about seeing the bear that we accidentally drove past our cabin. I guess our truck spooked the bear because it ran off into the woods behind the cabins and didn't return that night. That wasn’t the last we’d see of him though. The next night, the bear came back! Nick, being the wonderful boyfriend that he is, was outside in the cold gathering kindling for the wood-burning stove so we could have a cozy fire inside. As he was picking up sticks, he looked up and saw the bear about 30 yards away. He hollered at me, but I didn’t hear him from inside, so he called me on the phone and told me to come outside. “The bear is back!” he exclaimed.
I hurried to the back porch as he instructed, and there he was! I quickly decided to name the cute little guy, Buddy the Bear. He seemed super cute and cuddly, definitely a little chunky since it was almost time for him to settle into his den for a long winter nap. We watched Buddy outside for a couple of hours. He seemed to acknowledge our presence (we were a very safe distance away on the back porch, which was higher than the woods below) but went about his evening searching the ground for snacks. Eventually, he made his way to the picnic table at the cabin next door and settled underneath it for a while. As the night grew colder, we reluctantly decided to head inside, but what an exciting time! A bear sighting two nights in a row—how delightful.
On Saturday, we set out for North Carolina to visit a live Christmas tree farm. The drive itself was a scenic journey through winding mountain roads, the landscape was filled with evergreens and the occasional dusting of snow. Upon arrival, we were greeted with warm smiles and a tractor ready to take us up the mountainside. Filled with enthusiasm, we hopped aboard, anticipation bubbling as the tractor rumbled its way through rows of lush, fragrant trees.
Locating the ideal tree was quite a challenge. We explored the mountainside, admiring the rows of tall firs and considering which one would be the best choice. At last, after careful consideration, we discovered it: a tree so perfectly formed it could have been on a Christmas card. Nick, saw in hand, took on the job of cutting it down. Within a few moments, the tree became ours. He then graciously dragged it down the mountain, with laughter and the fresh mountain air accompanying his efforts.
The tractor carried us and our tree back to the front of the farm, where the staff prepared it for transport. But before leaving, we couldn’t resist warming up by the fire with an enormous cinnamon roll. The sticky sweetness paired with the comforting crackle of the flames made for a perfect ending to our adventure. Once the tree was safely secured in the back of the truck, we took off down the mountain, back to our cozy cabin.
That night, Buddy returned yet again! This time, though, he didn’t stay long. His routine was pretty much the same as the night before, but I think we spooked him more this time around. After running off into the woods, he didn’t make another appearance. Still, it was incredible to have a bear friend visit each night. If you know me, you know I love bears, so this added a little extra magic to an already wonderful trip.
On Sunday, we chose to enjoy the beauty of Black Rock Mountain State Park one final time before returning home. We brought the dogs for a hike around Black Rock Lake, a peaceful area encircled by tall trees and reflective waters. The dogs’ happiness was contagious as they leaped along the path, their enthusiasm mirroring ours as we absorbed the splendor of God's nature and listened to our pastor's online sermon.
As we packed the dogs up and drove away, the tree secured in the back of our truck, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. The trip wasn’t just about finding a Christmas tree; it was about the moments we shared, the laughter, the adventure, and the memories made in the mountains. Every time I looked at our tree this season, I remembered the magic of that weekend—a Christmas memory I’ll never forget. and hopefully a memory that we can make a Christmas Tradition.
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