By GLENN KAHL

The Bulletin

The Hitt family of four in Ripon makes a weekend adventure out of picking their perfect Christmas tree making a trek to Jackson in the nearby foothills.

Ripon was served by one sales lot run by the Ripon High School JROTC, however that has gone by the wayside this year with one local grocery store being the only location selling trees.

Deanna Hitt said she went the “simplistic” route this year looking for tree she can most enjoy with its shape and smell that fills the air of her Ripon home.  “It’s not just the ornaments,” she said, to the enjoyment of her two boys Kaden and Milan.

They drive up to the Jackson Ranchera every Thankstgiving taking their extended family of a dozen or more along with their five dogs: Australian Shepherds Penny and Tap, Bailey and Molly along with their St. Bernard Vivi.  Deanna said they recently took the St. Bernard on his first camping trip noting he slobbers all over his adult friends.

She said they make new ornaments each year with the kids’ names written on them for their historical value.  The mom added that her family usually makes a trip to Disneyland – having not gone this year.

While the Hitt family has chosen Jackson for their perfect tree search other Christmas tree farms are located in the foothills and Mother Lode areas with the most located in the Placerville area making a fun time for the children who can help cut the tree and drag it toward their car or pickup truck for the trek home.

While the JROTC Christmas tree lot is no more in Ripon, a large number of trees have been delivered to the Save Mart Market on the north side of the community near Highway 99.