The Pumpkin Patch (es)
October 15, 2008 by revcrystalk
Sunday afternoon turned into an adventure. We had been informed of a very low-cost pumpkin patch not very far out of town. As we arrived Merkin piped up that it looked spooky, a great place for a horror movie (I’m not sure that she’s ever actually seen one!). Unfortunately, the nice gentleman who owns the place was already OUT of pumpkins.
We drove South on 29, knowing there was a larger and more commercial pumpkin patch. Wow! It was amazing! It was so crowded and the line so long to go on the hay ride to get to the “patch” that it wound around the shop! They had men in the fields directing traffic! We went into their shop, bought some squash, carmel apples, and apple slushes and then went on our way. None of us had the patience to stand in line. Apparently this pumpkin patch not only had a place for you to pick your own prized gourd but a music show as well!
Since we were minutes from St. Joseph, we drove on in and found out that there was a Pumpkinfest going on. We found our way to the PumpkinFest. It was the final day, and late in the afternoon. They had an amazing wall of carved pumpkins and lots of venders.
There was also a MAGIC SHOW. Valerie was entranced and her attention could not be averted from it. So Valerie and I sat and watched this magician/comedian while the rest of the crew walked around the park. It was actually pretty entertaining until the end. That’s when he said something like “Kids, this is all just tricks. It’s not real magic. Real magic is the feeling you get when you make a new friend. Say no to drugs.” and then every other modern proverb that gets thrown at our children. It’s not that what he was saying was bad–but it was just weird. Although, as a child of the 80’s the “Just Say No” campaign is rather shallow and ill-fated if you ask me.
Being around all the vendors was just too much temptation and our dinners ended up consisting of fresh french fries, corndogs, and cheese on a stick (don’t do it–they’re yucky!) and a burger. I went home with a stomache, just like a kid going home from the fair.
All was not lost, as Ainsley and I would be going on the 1st grade field trip to yet another pumpkin patch in Weston, MO the next day. This was great, the weather was cool and cloudy, rain sprinkles on a few occasions but overall a wonderful trip.
There were at least 7 parents (when I went with Valerie and the three 1st grade classes in KCMO there weren’t that many parents!) that went on the trip! I was pretty amazed.
We had a personal tour from Farmer Judy,
picked apples and pumpkins (sort of), learned about bees and how they make honey, and visited all kinds of farm animals. It was a great day. We came home exhausted but with 2 pumpkins and 6 apples.
Karla–I hope that helps to flesh out what it means for us to go to a pumpkin patch! 😉
Posted in Personal | Tagged Personal | 1 Comment
so…you traveled to several pumpkin patches! I didn’t know there were so many activities! how fun is that. we’ve got apple picking up here, but we only went to the one with a microbrewery/winery. plus, I am allergic to apples. ;-(
Sounds like fun…and thanks for the story!