Still More Pumpkins

I have been working on a couple of different projects, but as they are for a particular blog reader, I can't post anything for two weeks or so. This means, dear readers, that you're stuck with another blog about PUMPKINS.



My same group of trusty Passionate Pumpkin Purveyors hit THREE pumpkin themed hot spots the other weekend.







We started off with the ever popular and honorable tradition of the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival (as I teased in the other pumpkin post). It took us well over two hours to get there, as a certain abomination of a pumpkin patch is clogging the artery that is the 92).







The HMBPF is full of happy families, pushing giant strollers, sipping pumpkin wine from pumpkin painted glasses, while buying kitchy things that they do not need to own. When Shawn and I finally arived, we found the other half of our group, squatting on a curb, consuming their pumpkin cheesecake.







Despite the crowds, we a had fun time. There were a few great bands playing, and some really amazing glass pumpkins on display.







The traffic was horrendous heading back into the city, so we decided to seek out some local pumkin patches, get dinner, and let it die out.

Our first stop was found by accident, on our way to my favorite patch. It was called The Long Branch Farm & Saloon, and happens to be in a trifecta of pumpkin patches. It also wins the prize for oddest (or scariest if you're like us and have seen too many horror movies) patch we've been to all season.







The Long Branch Farm & Saloon (I believe) functions as an event space, in addition to picking up some extra pumpkin money and onsite advertising as a pumpkin patch. It wasn't the physicality of the place that made it so odd (it's actually really cool), but rather the fact that it is right next door to probaly the most popular patch in the area, but this place was a GHOST TOWN while we were there.







For maybe ten minutes we ran around seeing the different buildings, enjoying the offerings








...looking at the world's sadest llama







...being scared half to death by the loudest sheep I've ever heard







and pondering the fact that they own a piece of Abe Lincoln's hair.







Then we realized we were all alone. Nikki pointed out that "this how most bad horror movies start," and added that it would not be in our best interests to be alone, in this place, once the sun went down.







On our way out, we did notice a horse present right outside the passenger door of a car. Now, I can only assume three things



1) that the person must have parked over this (because horses aren't that neat, nor do they have that great aim)

2) that person is blind, if they somehow did not see this treat

and

3) that they hate their passenger







Our next stop was Arata Pumkin Farm. We discovered this patch with Beth, a few years ago, while trying to avoid the very same traffic we were avoiding this day. The fact that this is best pumpkin patch in the area, was confirmed with an informal office poll of me and one other person.







It isn't the biggest patch, but it packs a lot into it's coast side location. In addition to the hay maze, haunted house, fresh produce and pumpkins, they offer....

...novelty pumpkins

...corn growing on the stock to peg Brian with (sorry, but at least you got one kid in the oven)








...pumpkin gladiators, where two children with five pumpkin enter, but only one is left standing






and apparently King Kong.







Well, maybe the gladitor thing isn't totally true, but this is a great patch. It's also educational, because if you're like Shawn, you learn that a pumpkin blossom







grows and one day becomes a pumpkin







and if left unattended, can be smushed my pumpkin hooligans.







We stayed here till sunset, watching little kids coming out of the hay maze, clutching their golden pumpkins and screaming for their moms. I tell you, it is great fun!







The only draw back to Arata, is that once the sun sets the local teenagers start arriving. I know there can't be much more to do in the area, but they descended on this place like it was the mall. We high tailed it out of there, missing the third patch as we were hungry and it was dark, and hit the dissapointing Cameron's Pub before heading home.



Back to the fact that is supposed to be a comic and craft blog; I hope to get a craft and comic post up with the next few days, but I suspect there will be hiatus, as I'm heading to the east coast for the ultimate Autumn excursion: Fall Foliage Viewing. If anyone has been to Boston or Salem and you have a few tips, please let me know!