State Troopers and Atchison County scale operators had a special surprise last week when the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree made a stop at the weigh scales while making its way through Missouri along I-29. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was hauled by driver Larry Spiekermeier for Whitewood Transport. The transport used a Kenworth T680 to take the tree on a 21-stop tour en route to Washington. The tree, a 79-foot, 13,000 pound Engelmann Spruce, traveled nearly 3,500 miles from the Kootenai National Forest in northwestern Montana to the Capitol, where it was to arrive on the West Lawn of the Capitol on November 27.    (Submitted Photos)