Ok … I must admit, this is a pretty pitiful Christmas Tree. However, as one can readily see, where the decor fails, the spirit prevails.
In December of 2010, my buddies, Bryan, JC and I were backpacking and camping in the Richland Creek Wilderness area. Just for fun, JC’s wife had given him some glow sticks. Well, you guessed it … as darkness crept into the valley,these colorful chemically activated lights found a home on a nearby scraggly cedar tree. That was 2010.
Fast forward to December 2011. The Ozark Santas returned only this time with more Christmas ostentation in our packs. We camped at the same spot, brought more glow lights plus, ribbons, battery powered candles, aluminum foil for the star, candy canes for the animals and stylish seasonal Santa hats for the three amigos.
Clearly this was and is a very unique way to share the Christmas Spirit with friends. The tree may be lacking but we plan to return next year with even more creative ways to give this” Charlie Brown Cedar” a moment to glisten before all the creatures of the forest.
Jim Dailey 
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