I guess they couldn't find one any closer. I wonder what the total cost is going to be.
I think they choose a tree from different state every year, but I sure could be wrong. Of course Hawaii could never participate. Looks like we Coloradans could drive to Loveland on Monday to see it.
I wonder who decorates it? I can imagine that a tree of that size will take many days to decorate. small and finding a good spot is a challenge. This is where a pencil thin tree would be great.
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It’s been quite a journey so far for an 80-foot Sitka spruce tree from Alaska selected to adorn the nation’s Capitol as the official holiday tree.
From a remote island in the Tongass National Forest, the tree recently traveled 750 miles by barge to Seattle, where it’s about to hit the road again.
“The next portion of the trip is about 3,200 miles across the country, from Seattle to DC,” said Brandon Raile with the U.S. Forest Service, who is traveling with the tree. “We are literally going to go coast to coast and see both oceans, and we’re looking forward to stopping in communities all the way across.”
The first stop in the Lower 48 is Renton, Washington with a celebration Wednesday night, followed by stops in Baker City Ore. Nov. 8, Pocatello, Idaho Nov. 9, Murray, Utah Nov. 9, Grand Junction, Colo. Nov. 10, Loveland, Colo. Nov. 11, Omaha, Neb. Nov. 13, Fort Wayne, Ind. Nov.16, Columbus, Ohio, Nov.17, Hagerstown, Md. Nov.19 and Joint Base Andrews, Md. Nov. 21.
Raile said the stops are an opportunity to celebrate National Forests and Alaska in particular. People are also able to view the tree which is packed laying down inside a specially designed 85-foot trailer with plexiglass panels on the side.
“Instead of being covered in wood, it’s covered in Plexiglass, so everybody can see what it looks like,” Raile said. “It’s decorated up with some of the ornaments that Alaskans throughout the state have made. And that’ll be a really great opportunity to show other communities what Alaskans have done here.”
The tree is accompanied by a law enforcement escort for most of the journey, which includes protection at night.
“We’ve made arrangements all the way across the country with different locations that we can lock it up nice and secure,” Raile said. “If we don’t have a place like that available, our law enforcement officers that travel with us will be providing 24-hour security on it.”
Raile said planning to bring the Capitol Christmas tree from Alaska to the Lower 48 has been long in the making.
“We’ve spent all year working with Alaskans across the state, working with organizations and schools and businesses to bring the tree this far,” Raile said. “And we’re just so excited. It’s really kind of surreal that it’s finally time to start its journey across the Lower 48, and we’re so appreciative of everybody who helped get us to this point.”
The tree is scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on Nov. 22 with an official holiday tree lighting in the first week of December.
