Michael T. Hare

Since moving to New Hampshire, I’ve had the pleasure of telling lots of people about my adventures in the western states.

Did we get our Christmas tree from the Idaho National Forest? Yes. Have I seen a freshly-torn-off antelope head? Yes. Did I have horses and cows right outside my backyard? Yes, it was a petting zoo every day. Was I horrified when my landlords informed me that I’d eaten one of my favorite cows? Yes to that as well. She was a meat cow, so I should’ve seen that coming—but she was also my friend, regardless of how well she went with cheese and ketchup!

Growing up in Wyoming and Idaho was like growing up in Middle-earth, a land that matched the size of my imagination. Everywhere was an adventure, and the times we had in the wilderness have shaped how I write stories today.

Tonight’s post reminds me of my short story, All In A Moment. I wasn’t a writer at the time of the story, but I always loved taking the landscapes around me and focusing them into a story. One of the reasons I’m fond of the Western states is that they always allowed me to envision something fantastical.

Something else the Western world offered was Christmas. Decorations are a key part of celebrating the holiday, and when the snow speckled the mountains, it was as though the land had joined in the festivities. Snowy mountains always signaled the holidays to me—they went well with our homemade candy cane decorations and outdoor lights.

Almost as well as cows and ketchup.

Tell me your favorite thing about the Christmas season in the comments, traveler. I’d love to hear from you! Mine is definitely snowy mountains, whether they be in New Hampshire or the West. I admire both.