Christmas Isn't Always Merry

The central coast of California's yearly
rainfall averages about 20 inches, and Christmas day is usually warm and sunny.
So it is hard to imagine on Christmas Evein 1846 a rainstorm heavy enough to kill horses almost devastated Fremont’s battalion as they marched over the SantaYnez Mountainsduring theMexican- American War.
José spentthat unhappynight sheltered
from this terriblestorm in a cold, dark cave. After his parents separated, Christmas for Tim McGrew was not happy either.
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