The Senator who drives the Capitol tree

On Monday morning when the alarm went off, the announcers were talking about the fact that the Capitol Christmas tree was making a stopover in Nashville. Even thought this may sound cheesy, my current life pretty much revolves around trying everything and embracing every opportunity, so after work I dutifully trekked down to Broadway across from Tootsies to see "the tree".

Well, this is not just a tree. We are talking a 74-year-old 73-foot tree from Colorado. Being carried in a huge semi truck (you can see the tree partially decorated through a window in the back). In case you were interested, it is an honor for a national forest to be chosen to provide the Capitol tree, which stands on the West Lawn in Washington, DC.

The truck of the tree.

Now, the really cool part is, I started chatting with the trucker driving this Christmas tree across the country. I mean, it is literally a matter of national security and importance - as he said "nice to have the cops leading you instead of chasing you". We started chatting, and I asked for a picture so hopped into the copilot seat!

Copilot of the tree!

So I told him my life story and how I ended up in Nashville, which he thought was pretty cool. He's done this tree trek once before and lives in Colorado. I asked if he's been a trucker forever and he chuckled and said "Here's a story for your blog. I'm a former US Senator".

Whaaaaaattt?

But for real, he wasn't pulling one on me. Handed me his business card, his name is Ben Nighthorse and he was a senator from Colorado for 12 years. According to Wikipedia, there's even a reservoir named after him. He is now happily retired and volunteers his time to drive a 73-foot Christmas tree across the country, making kids happy when they get their pictures with Santa. Like me!

I've been very good - I promise!

Safe journeys to Ben, the tree, and of course Mr and Mrs Claus!