Lots of Pumpkin Patches

I continue to fall behind on the blog posts, but will try to catch up before the new year!

Here is a quick photo recap of some of our fall adventures. We probably visited 3-4 pumpkin patches and went on at least two hayrides. Rose got to step out of her comfort zone a bit and explore some new activities. Zoe, still being so new to the world (and in the 4th trimester), slept during most of the trips, with some nursing sessions as needed.

One of our first adventures of the fall season brought us to Hill Ridge Farms, about an hour from home. The farm was amazing and I wish we got there earlier. We still ended up spending over 5 hours enjoying their many activities and eating lunch. We did the hayride to get pumpkins, did the train ride to see some fall displays, saw some animals, raced some ducks, climbed hay stacks, crawled through tunnels, and rode a giant log swing. There was so much to see and do and Rose had a great time. The food available for lunch was mediocre, but their bakery was excellent.  We will definitely head back there again next year and I look forward to having Zoe get to participate in the fun.

Rose is bravely climbing through the tunnel

One of several hayrides

We also visited Farmer Ganyard at Upchurch Farm and got to meet the farmer himself. We talked to him a bit about how we could support the farmland in Cary to prevent the land being used for development. It's a shame that farmers are better able to support themselves when the farm is a tourist attraction as opposed to it being used to grow food for people.  

At the Upchurch Farm, we enjoyed another hayride to get pumpkins, and got to go through a corn maze.  Rose led the way and only led us to 1-2 dead-ends. She also had a great time jumping in the "corn box." Of course, she did not want to go in the toddler corn box, opting instead for the older kids box. In the older kid's box, there was a slide feature that was not available in the toddler box. Since there were lots of kids playing in the older kid's box, we had to watch her a little more closely.

Navigating the corn maze at Upchurch Farm

Enjoying the climb and slide in the corn box at Upchurch Farm

We had a great fall enjoying the wonderful farm activities located in the Triangle. Since Thanksgiving, we've also been enjoying some holiday activities that will be posted on another day. I'm so glad we live in this area and have so many options for reasonably-priced toddler and kid-friendly activities.