An Autumn Adventure

There is something about leaving the house for an adventure in the cold fog of a Pacific Northwest morning and then as we drive toward our destination seeing the fog burn off and Mt. Rainier appear and the day warms up and the kids are so good (that means flexible) and the adventure just feels that much more fun.

Had we been in VA this would have been apple picking weekend at Carter Mountain Orchard. Seeing that Carter Mountain is quite a commute from here we looked for a new apple picking tradition. WA is an apple production state; should be easy to find apples to pick; think again. Apples here are for production and pick-your-own places are few and far between. We left the house Saturday with the goal of finding a new family fall tradition and a pumpkin farm. The Puyallup Valley lies at the western base of the mountain and along the banks of the river there we found our pumpkin farm. We shot some little pumkins from a pumkin slingshot, took a hay ride, and walked around and found some super big pumpkins.

When we left we stumbled upon a cider pressing festival and then looked for the YMCA farm here which does have apples to pick but they were done for the year. We headed back the road we came because there was an organic farm we had passed that we wanted to see--- as we pulled in the parking lot what was the sign.... "pick your own apples!" YEAH!!!! Unfortunately M was asleep so D stayed with him and I took things 1 and 2 out to pick. I have to say that it was much flatter than picking on Carter Mountain and the apple trees were small so the kids could pick easily (good: less lifting of children--- bad: more green apples than you can imagine)

On the way back to the barn D and M met us and all three had a great time eating apples and looking at all the foods they grow at the farm (I see pick your own strawberries as an entry for next spring) If I hadn't been so ready for lunch I would have been up for the dig your own potato experience.

A Tacoma tradition for burgers was our lunch. Absolutely delicious!! In fact I can't wait to go back. We decided to send the kids right over the moon by taking the electric train around downtown since we were right there and I have to say that M got the biggest kick out of it this time. He had a great time waving to everyone and saying HI and BYE as they got on and off. It was late afternoon by this time and G and M were both pretty tired (not to mention D and me).

I took one last pic when we got home of all three on a little bench in the yard. The maple trees here are spectacular right now--- all red.

love and hugs,

B