Christmas Tree Hunting
- Stephanie Sichler
- 30 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Some days just feel like they’re meant to become memories — the kind you’ll look back on years from now and still feel the warmth of. This day was one of them.
We headed out, driving the 135 miles hoping to finally get Ernie to Mad Jack’s — something he’s been wanting to do for some time now. It was amplified ever since Jack stopped by the Buckhorn. Even with the head start, we still found ourselves in a 30-minute line… but honestly, it didn’t feel like waiting.
Staff handed out warm apple cider, the kind that hits your hands and your heart at the same time. People swapped stories, laughed, shared where they’d traveled from. It felt like a small community formed right there on the sidewalk — all of us brought together by the promise of good BBQ.
And when we got to order, it was worth every minute of waiting. We ordered just about everything. Watching the crew inside working with so much care, seeing the brisket sliced fresh — moments like that remind you why food matters. It’s craft, it’s pride, it’s connection. Sharing that meal together felt like the real kickoff to the day.
After lunch, we drove up into the mountains for our annual Christmas tree hunt. Snow everywhere — the quiet kind that softens the world and makes everything just a little more magical. Morgen led the way in her bright pink snowsuit.
We found it — a perfect tree tucked on a slope, catching the light just right. Watching Ernie kneel down and start cutting felt like one of those small but meaningful moments that anchor a tradition. No rush, no noise, just the sound of the saw and the cold mountain air.
We carried the tree back down through the snow, tired in the best way, carrying something we found together. That’s the beauty of this time of year — the way simple things turn into stories you’ll tell again and again.
If your holiday travels take you out on your own little adventures, savor the moments that surprise you — good food, good people, good memories. And when you find your way back home, we’ll be here:
@buckhornburgers | BuckhornBurgers.com
Helpful Links:
Mad Jack's:
Lincoln National Forest Christmas Tree Permit: