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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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November 30, 2009

Christmas Tree Hunting at Hahn Farm, Salt Point, NY

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I am in heaven. Thanksgiving came and went, and that in itself was an awesome time for our little family unit. But what I love the most right after Thanksgiving is going to a Christmas tree farm, searching for that one special tree, cutting it down, and bringing it home.

Last year we drove out to Long Island to Carter Christmas Tree Farm. And it was an “alright” experience, but this year we wanted to try something new.

There were are a few farms that offer up a Santa or two, and all the bells and whistles, but then they also charge so much, in some cases up to $90 for a tree or more! Quite honestly, for that much money, I can walk down the block and just pick one up myself, fresh from Canada.

We decided on traveling to Hahn Farm not really knowing what to expect as their website leaves a lot to be desired, but to us that was also part of the fun…and they weren’t charge $90 for their trees!

So we started out with an awesome brunch for the birthday boy (did I mention my youngest turned 3 today?) and set on the road to Dutchess County, an hour and a half drive in search of the perfect tree we would bring home with us.

The drive upstate has always been one of my favorite things to do. It’s so beautiful out there. And no matter how much I love the city, even I know that getting out of it every once in awhile is necessary to recharge and refresh from the hectic life the city offers. Unlike last year, the boys didn’t need tons of DVDs to keep them calm the whole way. Which was a nice change. The day was also sunny, and though cool, definitely not as cool as last year.

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We drove past cows and even some alpaca before we arrived to Hahn Farm. Small and simple, I wondered as I looked into the distance at their trees if we would find one big enough for my liking. We were quickly greeted and asked what trees we liked. We didn’t really know, but after a description of my preference we were instructed to load on to a hay wagon for a ride up hill to the selection of trees.

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The kids were thrilled. The birthday boy was especially giddy, and ready for the ride. As we got further up the hill, I could see a wonderful selection of proud trees growing there.

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We wondered into the field. “This one.” “But look at this one!” “Mama, how about a baby one?” “This one!”

So many choices. Luckily there weren’t many people there at all. We took our time and looked around when there it was. The One.

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The 12 year old immediately requested for the opportunity to cut it down. “I’m old enough,” he told his Dad, “I am ready to cut down my first tree.”

“Ok, remember to cut straight across.”

The boy bent down to cut and not even 10 seconds later gave up. “It’s hard!” Ah, yes, he would die out here.

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His dad took over and had the tree down in minutes. At which point the younger ones chimed in wanting a turn at the saw. We let them saw down a bit more before we made our way to the flag pole, to raise the flag letting them know, at the bottom of the hill, that we were ready. In minutes there was another wagon, full of newcomers, and ready to take us down.

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Once down the hill, we were immediately offered to have our tree netted, carried, and placed on our hood. Total cost $46.00 (an extra $1 for the netting). We then got our hands stamped and walked across the road to the gift shop, which didn’t have much in they way of gifts and trinkets, but had plenty of fresh wreaths, and fresh angus beef, chicken, and pork.

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No Christmas music, Santa, or ornaments, some lights, but plenty of free hot chocolate (thus the stamping on the hand).

Nonetheless, the service we received here was so much better than last year, and people were really, really friendly too. The hay ride, the adventuring through trees in search of the perfect one, the raising of flags and rolling down hills on the wagon, and the free hot chocolates, and many smiles received made my kids really happy, and us as well.

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We had a great time in search of our tree this year. The trip back home was gorgeous as well.

Once home, my sister and her boyfriend came over. We sang Happy Birthday after dinner and decorated our tree while listening to a Christmas CD and watching our HD fireplace video on t.v. (cause you know, it’s NYC after all!).

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IMG_4772It was the perfect end to the perfect day. And here is our very, very perfect tree.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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1 Comment
  • Susie
    November 30, 2009

    Looks like you had the perfect day. Those are so few and far between. Enjoy!

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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A message about yesterday’s event: Happy Monday A message about yesterday’s event:

Happy Monday, y’all. Woke up in time to enjoy the soft glow of sunlight that shines its way around our house in the morning, and sipped on a cafecito without being rushed for anything. So already today is a win. 

Yesterday we worked our longest day yet for our little coffee cart that could (7 hours!!!) at the Heritage Fiesta in Ithaca, NY. 

Though we were ready for a crowd, the reception was also unexpected because there was a popular coffee shop just steps away. 

But we had Cómodo Fam stop by, family (who also fed us 🙏🏾), and soooo many members of the Latinx and BIPOC community who were just excited to see a small business like ours representing. 

I want to share that we were ALL worried about potential harassment and assault by 🧊and fliers were handed out to prepare us. And you would think that it would’ve intimidated the community enough to not come out…BUT WE DID. In numbers. 

And for hours that little parking lot next to Press Bay Alley was packed with all sorts of Latinx and non-Latinx community members, eating, laughing, dancing, singing, and drinking all the cafecitos and refreshers we had to offer. Literally. We went home cleaned out!

All this to say that we are all aware of the threats but we also understand the power and importance of coming together as a community and a people. By no means are we all the same, and Lord knows a lot of Latinos have a lot of self-reflecting to do based on the choices they made, but yesterday was a testament to the best of us, and I thank @yenospina and @lcatompkins for putting together such a wonderful event, for inviting @cafecomodony to be a part of it, and to all the friends, old and new, who came out to support us and la cultura. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #cafecomodo #coffeelover
Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite lazy day pastimes of the season: market shopping for fall goodies - which in the Finger Lakes is especially bountiful. 

📍Joseph’s Wayside Markey, Naples, NY

#fingerlakes #newyork #octobermood #fallday
Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The proce Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The process is busy and noisy but also exciting and fun to watch. 

This cloudy morning seems to have calmed things down a bit, but not for long I am sure. These families work hard!

Bonus: they set up roadside stands so we can purchase and taste them 🍇 I highly recommend picking some up if you see some in your drive. 

#fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #newyork
The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️ The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️
I want to take moment to send out love to my fello I want to take moment to send out love to my fellow Latinx and immigrant community. 

To send strength to my community of glorious misfits who are out in the world making good trouble and emboldening us to not give up hope on our dreams, our livelihoods, our future, our country, our people. 

The country our parents worked so hard to get to so that we could fly. A country they helped build and bring to prosper. A country our communities help to feed and house and care for. 

I am my immigrant parents dream come true, and my children are a continuation of that dream. 

I just want to remind all of us who represent the targeted, of our worth. Of the value of our contributions. In our languages, our culture, our insights, our work ethic and skills and knowledge. Of the things we bring to the table.

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or to us. But, as someone whose family lived through a dictatorship, I have an idea of how this story will end. And all I can advise is that we remain on the right side of it, our convictions unaltered, our core values untethered. Our spirits unbroken. In these stories, the monsters might scare us, and even harm some of us, but they never, ever win in the end. 

I am living proof of that. ❤️ And every time you succeed and feel joy, you are too. Pa’lante, mi gente.
Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes. Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes.

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