A Christmas Tree Shopping Adventure with my friend Dave

On Saturday, I met my friend Dave for a socially distant lunch and we went to find him a live Christmas tree. Since I have a pickup truck, it was a lot easier than having a tree tied to the roof of Dave's car. What we didn't know is that the tree lot where he likes to get them would be very busy. Fortunately, it was outside, and everyone was wearing a mask to prevent COVID transmissions, and people were being respectful of distance. We encountered parking issues and mud, but it was all fun. In today's blog you'll see the festive shop and read about a real train and historic viaduct (that the train went over while we were there).  

PAYNE CHRISTMAS TREES AND HOLIDAY MARKET - Although I lived in Elkridge in the 1990s, I never knew of a big Christmas tree / nursery off the main road.  (Of course it may not have been there then). It's located at 5481 Levering Ave, Elkridge, MD  21075.http://www.paynechristmastrees.com/ (410) 796-7932 , and there's an indoor component where they sell a lot of Christmas wreaths, greenery and other holiday-related things.

MUDDY BUT EFFICIENT! - We visited in the mid-afternoon, and heavy rain ended in the morning by 9 a.m., leaving the dirt parking lot pretty muddy. It was also a small lot and so busy that I waited 20 minutes to park, while Dave got out and found a tree. The employees were well organized and efficient making it easy enough.  

A COOL PLACE - This was such a festive place to walk around! They had Christmas decorations and even a live Santa Claus wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. There was an entry tunnel (plastic half circle) and with wooden toy soldier cut outs. The employees cut the tree bottoms and even carried them to the vehicles where they tied them to a roof if necessary. Fortunately, Dave's tree fit right in the bed of the truck!

TREE COSTS THIS YEAR- In 2020, the cost of Christmas trees was much higher the previous year, because it takes 12 years for them to grow tall enough to sell... and that was at the time of the recession - so there were less trees to sell this year. We learned that trees started at $70 and went up from there. 

(Photo left: Dave!)

TRAINS OVER THE HISTORIC THOMAS VIADUCT -  Trains are always associated with Christmas, but usually they are the model versions that are set up around the Christmas Trees. However, this shop was located right NEXT to a train track over an historic bridge, so we heard the train go by.  (Photo right: A train we saw and heard moving over the tracks near the Thomas Viaduct)

 Wikipedia said: The Thomas Viaduct spans the Patapsco River and Patapsco Valley between Relay, Maryland and Elkridge, Maryland, USA. It was commissioned by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O); built between July 4, 1833, and July 4, 1835; and named for Philip E. Thomas, the company's first president. It remains the world's oldest multiple arched stone railroad bridge. At its completion, the Thomas Viaduct was the largest railroad bridge in the United States and the country's first multi-span masonry railroad bridge to be built on a curve. In 1964, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.