Like a lot of folks I LOVE traditions! I love reminiscing about special things my family did when I was younger and knew I wanted to make start some special traditions when we started our family.
Last year we made a trip to a local pumpkin patch to have some fall fun and pick out a pumpkin. We had a great time, but I thought it would be even more fun to find a place where we could go out and get our own pumpkin straight from the vine. So, last Saturday we headed up to Virginia to do just that!
We actually found Blue Ridge Pumpkins, LLC by total accident! We just happened to stop for gas at the Fancy Gap exit in Virginia, and I noticed the sign just off the highway. The cranky toddler who'd been stuck in his car seat and was refusing a nap, encouraged me to check it out! I'm so glad we did!!
You know how they say first impressions are everything? Well, it's true and these folks made a great one. Someone immediately came out to greet us as soon as we arrived. He asked where we were from, if we'd been there before and then proceeded to tell us about the place. He took his time with us and made us feel welcome. And during the rest of our visit, I noticed they did that with EVERY family that arrived!
After meeting more of the family in the barn, we headed out to the field to pick our pumpkins! We loved walking around trying to find the PERFECT ones. (And little man, was thrilled to be out of his car seat!) As we found the ones we wanted, my husband would cut them off the vine and move them out to the path. After that, someone came out on a four wheeler and picked them all up for us and delivered them to our car. We LOVED that! (I couldn't imagine if we'd had to juggle 3 huge pumpkins, and a toddler!)
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| Our little man and his cousin, exploring the pumpkin patch! |
Next, we headed out to enjoy some of the other activities they had to offer. (They have a package, which allows you to do all of their activities for a really reasonable price!) We each took a couple turns at the corn cannon. My husband managed to get the corn straight through the hole in target. He was was quite proud of himself and the person running the cannon said that most people are able to bounce the corn in, but that he'd never seen anyone shoot it straight in! It was the hot topic the rest of the afternoon. :)
We also enjoyed getting lost in the corn maze and a hay ride around the farm. Our niece and son also loved playing in the kids' area, which included slides and a corn pit. And of course, we had to make a stop at the bouncy house. This was our little guy's first time in a bouncy house so he wasn't sure what to to think at first, but by the end, he saying "no, no, no" as I pulled him out to put his shoes on.
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| Left: A quick shot after making our way through the corn maze. Right: Obligatory hand shake and photo-op after his successful corn cannon shooting. |
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| Enjoying the corn maze from his stroller! |
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Top Left: Our little guy trying to pick up a "ball". Top Right: Enjoying the hayride on Dada's lap.
Bottom Left: Playing with a truck in the corn pit. Bottom Right: First bouncy house experience! |
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| Gorgeous view from our hayride! |
Before we left, I made a point to snag a few shots of our little family. They had some great fall scenes set up with bales of hay, pumpkins and mums. My child may, or may not, have tried to eat one of their display pumpkins... (Ok, he did.) :)
From beginning to end, we enjoyed every moment of our trip to Blue Ridge Pumpkins, LLC. They are family owned and operated and every person we encountered, made us feel special and welcome . I'm so glad we "accidentally" found them, because we'll definitely going back!!
