Another fun fall afternoon playing on the farm. The air is getting colder and the leaves are starting to change color. We even got another tour from the frindly little kitty.
Little Adventures: Pumpkin Patch
Around here in the fall, a few different local farms go the extra mile to get people to come out and buy fresh produce alongside with there pumpkins for Halloween. One of those tricks is adding activities great for children. One farm nearby, Thistledown, has taken that to heart. They built a small maze out of hay bails that are fully covered from the rain and has a couple of slides too. They also have a small petting zoo with sheep and goats and a rather large scale corn maze. Ridley and I went and spent a good couple hours playing and having fun. When we entered the corn maze, I put him in charge of making all the decisions about where we would go. Though we explored every possible option, including all the dead ends, he did get us out all by himself!
The Mist of Wizard Island
Winter is coming and my last chance of the year to make the trip around the rim of Crater Lake would come with the first significant snow. I left as early as my pillow would let me but missed sunrise regardless. Though there were beautiful colors in the sky as I drove, the deep lake was shrouded in fog. Coming in the entrance I did, I didn't know where I was as I've never been there. So when the wind started shifting the fog giving me my first view, I was blown away.
There before me was Wizard Island, a once ancient cinder cone, engulfed in mist. It wasn't until my leg started cramping did I realize I had been crouched down for nearly an hour in amazement trying to take pictures. It was indeed a stunning experience to come to a place in complete mystery and watch it slowly reveal itself to you.
After exploring a bit, I came around to the central visitor area and met this years artist in residence at Crater Lake, Alyssa Black. She was kind enough to stop and let me take a few photos before I continued around the rim of the crater.
Picking Grapes
in Photography, Life
It wasn't until we noticed the sweet taste in the air, that the grapes in the yard were ripe for picking. The vines have been unkept for a few years and are beginning to take over the porch, so there was more than enough for our needs. We wanted to make homemade grape juice. After washing and destemming them, we ran them through a mill press to make our drink. The juice was sweet and vibrant but just a hair on the acidic side. In total, we ended up making nearly two gallons, what a fun experiment!
First Signs of Fall
in Life
I love the Fall, I mean I love all the seasons, but the Fall is special. When the air gets nice and crisp, it somehow feels fresher. Here are just a few things that caught my eye as I was taking the trash out. Also, this crazy woodpecker was trying to find a snack in our shed.
