The Importance of Socks (& Christmas Trees)

A piece of marriage advice that we received from many people, and books, while we were engaged was to create new traditions.  We agree that this is an excellent piece of advice so we set out to do just that.  We want to share some advice we learned during one of our new traditions together—Christmas Tree Hunting.

First, though, we want to give you a head’s up since this is a new style of post we’re doing today.  In August we were asked to try out a pair of socks and review them.  We talked about it, and the importance of socks in our lives:

When are socks important?

During exercise
Playing in the snow
Lounging at home
80s themed parties
Anytime “cold” is involved
Camping
To cover up unseemly feet
Christmas Tree Hunting

 and agreed that, “Yes, absolutely we would.”  One condition:  We told them we would keep our review honest, so we are.  Well, we like stories, and while we tried out these socks we were reminded of our misadventure in the famous Christmas Tree Hunt of 2014.  Please bear with us while we share our story, and also tell you about Blue Flame Footwear’s Thermal Socks .  Update:  They delayed their launch date, so we delayed out post date.  We're not quite sure where things stand (there has to be some kind of sock pun that could go here), but wanted to still share our story and review ^_^

The product that started our reminiscing...

In 2013, we had our mostly successful first Christmas Tree adventure.  We started off the day with some Christmas Tree pancakes.  Then after changing into some fashionable tree-hunt clothing, we headed into the great outdoors.

After a few unlucky, slippy-slidey stops, we finally found a great trail.  Eventually, we stumbled upon Herbert (ok, so we didn’t name him.  However, it seems sad to just say “the tree.”).  We took this beaut home and we felt extremely pleased with ourselves.  You may be asking, though, were there any regrets?  Why, we’re so pleased you asked.  Yes.  Sarah regrets that A) she wore boots that were at least 6 years old and had lost all traction and B) we both regret our sock choices.  If only we had known about Blue Flame socks.  Why?  You’ll see…

Christmas 2013 = Success!

Christmas 2013 was our first official Christmas as a married couple and it was a success!  We hung up our ornaments from all over the world, reminisced about our honeymoon, and celebrated “12 Days of Dates” in front of our lovely Herbert.

Flash forward to 2014.  New city means new hunting grounds.  When John purchased the permit he asked the experts where to go.   He got a name, so we were set.  We decided to do this the weekend before we left for Jamaica so that we’d come home and be ready for Christmas.  Since John is an Eagle Scout (if you don’t know what that is, it’s ok, Sarah didn’t either.  Basically it means he earned the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts, which only 7% of boy scouts earned in 2013.  He’s a big deal, that’s why I [Sarah] married him), we planned ahead and went prepared:

-Axe: Check
-Coat: Check
-Floor mats: Check
-Cotton pants: Check
-Hiking boots (See! Sarah learned): Check
-Tarp: Check
-Tell no one where we’re going: Check
-Leave at noon: Check

In case you’re not sure, we’re being sarcastic.  We didn’t prepare much at all for some reason.  We weren’t worried, though, we were pros.

Our 21st century map

After some driving down abandoned roads, we started heading into the hills.  Soon there weren’t tracks, but we had a Jeep, so we could handle it until…well, until we couldn’t.  Finally, after the Jeep refused to continue, we started reversing to find “a place to turn around.”  When we finally felt prepared to turn around, we got stuck.  John tried pushing, digging with his hands (remember?  No shovel), and trying the floor mats under the tires (this worked once when we were stuck in the mud on our first official date).  We finally got out, but, accidentally slid off the other side of the road into a much deeper ditch.  We tried the same things, and Sarah even gathered pine needles and branches to put under the tires.  Result?  Nothing.

Some things to know:  Sarah had a lump on her ankle that had been bothering her for some time so John had asked for a spot to find a Christmas tree that was close to the road.  Sarah didn’t have a very thick coat with her, or gloves, or a hat.  John didn’t have a flashlight, or his backpack.  And, we definitely didn’t have warm socks.  After much debate, we realized it was 3:00 pm on a Sunday.  We hadn’t seen anyone coming up and figured we wouldn’t.  Do we stay or do we go? 

Our prepared plastic bag!

We made a really tough decision and started hiking out.  We also couldn’t get cell reception.  Sarah started taking photos to try to document their fun.

See that snow on the bottom of my pants?  Those are my cotton, black comfy pants frozen solid over my shoes.

Finally, we found a bar of service and John called 911. 
Operator:  “What’s your emergency?”
John: “We’re hiking out on Road ____, and our Jeep got stuck.”
Operator: “Is anyone hurt?”
John:  “No, but we’re not dressed for the weather.”
Operator: “Hmm..I’m not sure what to do.” -Note to 911 Operators:  THIS ISN’T WHAT THE CALLER WANTS TO HEAR.
John:  “Could you send a sheriff or search and rescue to meet us?”
Operator:  “I’ll try.”  (Such confidence)

That conversation took place over a mile of walking and many dropped calls.  Finally, in the dark, 6 miles later, we reached the main road.  Help had arrived!!!

Help was a sheriff.  He was very kind and after taking the axe from us, let us into his back seat.  Then he asked us who would be picking us up.  Ummm….we don’t know anyone.  After trying the few people we do know, we had to call a taxi to meet us AN EXIT AWAY FROM OURS.  We exited the police car to get into the taxi.  Then came home.  Sarah had a swollen leg, John didn’t have his Jeep, we most definitely didn’t have a Christmas tree, but we did have each other…and a pizza we ordered.

The next day was spent working with a towing agency, getting an ultra sound (they thought Sarah had a blood clot), and talking about what we should have done differently.

Life Advice (especially when Christmas Tree Hunting):

1.     Be OVER prepared, especially in cold weather.  Bring extra warm clothes, gloves, hats, a backpack, head lamps, a shovel, melting-snow-rock-salt (Sarah wrote that part), fire starter, a sleeping bag or two, food AND water, and floor mats.  Seriously.  Make a list and check it once, and then twice (like Santa).
2.     Let someone know where you’re going.
3.     Make friends, or know the taxi places in your local town.
4.     Work as a team—we didn’t argue, not once.
5.     If a road seems unmarked and you don’t have a snow plow, stop. Turn around.  Do not pass civilization.
6.     Talk through your options—see both sides.
7.     Research where you’re headed a little more and ask locals for input.
8.     Don’t hike when your foot is swollen already.
9.     Find something to laugh about.  And hug.  And kiss (or high-five depending on your relationship).  Lighten the mood.
10. Get Blue Flame Footwear thermal socks!!!

Actually, to add on to #10, get wine, too!

The minute Sarah’s pink thermal socks and John’s black thermal socks arrived, they couldn’t help but wish they’d had them sooner….like 9 months sooner.  These would have been amazing for our outdoor adventure.  Guess what?  We’ll use them this year.  And we’ll tell you how it goes.

We tried the socks on and were immediately impressed with the softness and cushion they provided.  We spent our first night in them drinking wine, eating popcorn, and lounging (this is what we would have done had we had them when the taxi dropped us off at home that fateful night in 2014).  They were great, and since we keep our house at a cool 64 degrees in the summer, we had to even take off our blankets—the socks were keeping us VERY warm.  They did slouch a bit, but we didn’t mind.  They make cozy slippers (Sarah keeps hers on her side of the couch for nice evenings like this).  But, we wanted to test them more…

Hello hiking!  We took a little six mile jaunt (don’t worry, we were more prepared this time).  They were great!  We were both really impressed with the cushion they provided.  Sarah was extra impressed that she had NO blisters at the end of the hike (this is an anomaly).  They kept us warm, especially for August, but it wasn’t terrible.  We actually both said we’d want to use them as hiking socks—especially in the Fall AND winter.  They’d be great in rain boots, too!

We went home and washed them to see how they’d fare.  They were just as cozy and soft afterwards.  All in all, we’re impressed.  We’re thrilled that we already have a pair, and are so excited to get more use out of them.  Looking for a stocking stuffer, Christmas tree hunting socks, or some warm weather hiking socks?  Try these! [when they're available :D ]  (We won’t receive any compensation, so ya know, don’t worry—we’re being honest).

Oh, just so you know…we did get a Christmas tree in 2014.  We went to Home Depot the next night and got one.  What happened to the tree permit?  It’s now an ornament. 

Have you ever had tough decisions to make in the outdoors—to stay or go?  Where were you?  What’re some of your traditions?   How do you feel about socks?  We want to know!

Chasing Time Zones,

J&S