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November 26, 2011

Christmas Tree Hunting at Hidden Pond Tree Farm, NJ

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My absolute favorite thing to do almost immediately after Thanksgiving is head out to a Christmas tree farm with my entire crew to cut down our tree.

We prefer to cut our own when we can, so it is one of the options we look for when deciding what farm we will visit. We also really enjoy discovering new places. So, since starting this blog (almost 3 years ago!) here is the list of places we have discovered and shared so far (except for 2010 when we ran out of time and just bought it in our NYC neighborhood.

2008 Carter Christmas Tree Farm, Suffolk County, NY

2009 Hahn Farm at Salt Point, NY

2010 We did it like your average New Yorker and bought it off the Christmas tree vendor up the block

Since 2011,  we have been returning to  Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm in Mendham, NJ. Not too far from Chester, NJ where we had gone apple picking this year and just as gorgeous of a drive. On a gorgeous day like today was you can expect to drive through winding, wooded roads, hidden creeks and gorgeous mansions.

From NYC, Hidden Pond is about a 45 minute drive. From our NJ home it was 30, and we had to follow the directions provided by the website because our GPS could not find it.

It’s only day two since they opened for the season and they have a wonderful selection of trees. We had our pick for sure! My sons (and I) wanted the biggest, tallest tree and though my husband kept insisting that it would not fit in our living room, we convinced him to cut down the second biggest, tallest tree there. The farm provides you with hand saws (for free) and they have someone in a trailer driving around for when you need to have your tree hauled back for wrapped in the net and prepped for payment and loading onto your car – also free.

We found our tree pretty quickly, and we cheered my husband on as he sawed away at it in a few minutes flat. The boys delighted in watching it being carried away and posed for pictures when not running around and climbing the haystacks. There is a free hayride you can take, as well as free hot chocolate with whipped cream and a candy cane compliments of the farm.

The area is beautiful and massive, and they encourage guests to come and spend a day, even inviting families and couples to bring a picnic basket and enjoy the grounds, no charge.

The owner was really nice, as was all the staff we met there. I could see this being my go to place and it definitely will be for firewood and pumpkins next year.

If you don’t want to cut down your own, they also offer pre-cut trees the selection of which is also plentiful still and quite lovely.

We are so delighted with our tree! My husband was right. It was too big. We had to saw it down a little and trim it a bit so that it would fit perfectly into our living room. Who knew trees grew while on top of cars from the farm on the way home? Cause I could’ve sworn it wasn’t that big on the farm!

Here is a view of our home now.

We are ready for the holidays. The massive tree looks and smells divine. The stockings are hanging on the mantel, the fireplace is lit. And yes, we have almost an entire month to go before Christmas, but in my house we are already counting the days. Joyfully.

Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm is located at 4 West Field Road, Mendham, NJ. Telephone number 9730-865-6362. They are opened everyday, except Mondays from 9 to 5.

 

 

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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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2 Comments
  • Elineof
    November 28, 2011

    Lovely post! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Elineof
      November 28, 2011

      Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Elineof Cancel reply

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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 and 2 puppies. 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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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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