Smokey the Pumpkin Bus and other fall fun...

What a beautiful weekend; mild temperatures, wonderful lighting, leaves beginning to turn. At the Saturday Farmers' market we stocked up on produce for the first lasagna of the fall season and Katya added a stuffed dolphin to her mermaid collection. We spent much of Saturday outside and on our bikes, and dropped by the public library for their Fall Festival. Katya traded a few books that she has outgrown, had her face painted, Ross obtained a library card, and we enjoyed the music of a fun local band(most of whom were teachers).

Although it is a little early in the season, Katya and I collected some beautiful leaves and she made a few "stained glass windows."

On Sunday afternoon we decided that it was time to visit the pumpkin patch and to check out a different patch from our usual. The new pumpkin patch had several amenities: big pile of sand, small petting zoo, amusing scarecrows, corn maze (with tasty corn), a pumpkin washing trough, and Smokey the Pumpkin Bus, (the owners were forced to suspend the helicopter flights which greatly irritated their neighbors and wasn't covered in the use permit granted by the city council). Ross and Katya took two spins around the patch on Smokey (the guy who drove Smokey LOVES his job); I declined as my back went out last Saturday and this ride was guaranteed to inflict more damage. Smokey sped and jerked around the pumpkin patch, belching fumes, on a dirt track specially modified for bumps, jumps, and the maximum legal fun allowed while not wearing seat belts. On the second trip, Katya and Ross were the only passengers, so the driver closed his eyes on a curvy section of the track while Katya told him which way to steer the wheel (she keeps her rights and lefts straight about 78% of the time)! We managed to return home safe, sound, with pumpkins, and gourds.

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Escrow has closed!

Escrow has closed on 14 Joy Lane.

Johnny Appleseed Days Weekend 10/3-4

The town of Paradise celebrates Johnny Appleseed Days, every year, at the end of the apple harvest. The three of us ventured up the hill to Paradise on Saturday to check out the festivities. We met Johnny, listened to his story, played carnival games, and bought a caramel apple for Katya (which she says has loosened two teeth that shouldn't be loose as their predecessors have already been shed). Ross got into the spirit of things once he found the coffee booth.

On another note, Autumn has definitely arrived. The lows are in the high 40's with day time temperatures in the mid 70's. On Sunday, Katya and I took a walk through the US Forest Service Genetic Resource Center & Conservation Camp. Katya collected acorn caps & pine cones and we discovered a grove of vanilla scented Ponderosa Pines. I took a few pictures of the persimmons, as they are a highly photogenic fruit.