Death March Through a Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, Brian, the Bear, and I headed out to pick out our yearly pumpkins. We decided to go "au-natural" and actually harvest them from the place where they were grown.

(Just a Vegas tidbit: since we live in a desert, there is only one orchard that I'm even aware of out here. So instead of going to an actual pumpkin patch, faux patches crop up on empty corners of deserted lots right at the start of October. Brian and I typically shun these patches, hence the rationale for heading to a real orchard.)

We had been to the orchard - and neighboring farm - the year before. It's a trek from our house, but well-worth it.

Or so we thought.

With the temp hovering right around 92 degrees, we donned shorts and sunscreen and set off for a little fall fun.

The day started off great. Scotty was excited to pet the cats at the farm.

I think he was a little bummed we didn't take a kitten home.

I was too.

Bummed out Bear

Nothing says "petting zoo" like a desert tortoise (that you can't actually pet), but we had fun looking at old Tanky. (his real name).

The Tankster in action

Then we began the long walk from the orchard to the pumpkin field.

The Road, by Cormac McCarthy Bear

We walked.

And walked.

And walked.

We stopped for an obligatory photo op that had been set up in the fields.

This is Scotty's pose. He calls it his, "I'm hot and don't care to be photographed but I will stand here in silent protest" pose.

Please Mother, stop taking my picture

When we were in Indiana with Grandma, she taught Scotty to "bite" pumpkins. (I know, don't ask).

I'm not proud to say, but the behavior continues to present day.

"Scotty bite pumpkin? Scotty bite pumpkin! Hee hee!"

After what seemed like hours of wandering through this dry, dusty field, we finally asked a nice man where he got his pumpkins. He pointed to the very back corner that was by my calculations, approximately 27 miles away.

And with that, we picked one tiny pepper --

Tiny pepper

-- and promptly turned around.

We'll try again next year.

And yes, our current pumpkins are from the faux patch. Just as good as the real thing with a fraction of the work.

We may be smiling here, but we're not really happy.