Living in Seattle it is rare to experience a white Christmas. In the thirty plus years of living here I can remember a couple of white Christmases. So in an effort to make it feel a little more like Christmas we have started to make it a tradition to spend some time up in the North Cascades before Christmas. I know most people like to vacation between Christmas and New Year's but going beforehand allows us to avoid the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas. No crowded malls, frantic list making or late night gift wrapping for us. Instead, we spent a few glorious days in the mountains with nothing but trees, wildlife and each other as our companions. Taking this trip right before Christmas helps remind us of the real meaning of Christmas and how blessed we are to have our health, our faith and each other.

The Freestone Inn is the perfect blend between rustic and comfortable. We have visited so often it has become our home away from home.

Jasper giving us the "not sure where you are going to sleep?" look.

We fortunate to be there while it snowed. There is nothing more magical than a fresh dusting of snow.

The Freestone Inn offers a large array of accommodations from large houses to condos and more traditional hotel rooms.

The Freestone Inn is located on a pond in a beautiful spot on Wilson's Ranch.

The Mazama Country Store is a great place to buy provisions when camping, pick up a pastry or cookie, eat a quick lunch, get gas for your car or find a unique souvenir.