Christmas is just around the corner, and you still have time to head up to the mountains and cut down a Christmas tree. This time last year most of our mountains contained at least a foot of snow and most of the ski resorts were open. It was a little hard to get around in all that snow.

That is not the case this year. There is not as much snow, and there is still time to get out. It’s a great family outing. You can record the football game and watch it when you get back.

Christmas tree permits are sold locally at East Cleveland Beverage in Caldwell and at local Forest Service offices. They’ll give you a map of where you can cut trees. Cost is $10.

You never know what the weather will be like. If there is snow in the forecast, take it easy on Forest Service roads. They are not usually plowed, and getting stuck is no fun.

We went out a week ago and the hills were brown and dry. The temperature was below freezing, but it was sunny. There wasn’t any snow at 5,000 feet.

Pack snacks and a propane barbecue and have a picnic. There is nothing like hot dogs and hot chocolate on a crisp fall afternoon.

You’ll have to hike a little, but that’s half the fun.

The trees you find won’t be like the ones sold in town. The trees are not going to be full and perfectly symmetrical. So don’t get your hopes up on finding a perfect “festival of trees” type of Christmas tree.

The fun of cutting your own tree is getting out and walking around in the forest.