As we say goodbye to October, my favorite month, I want to share a few highlights. October is my favorite for many reasons. The transition to autumn warms my soul, the weather changes to cooler days, and spooky season sets the tone for month after month after month of celebrations. For the last four October seasons, Duncan and I have made a habit (along with many others) of visiting a pumpkin patch/corn maze. To me this signifies the official change from September to October.
We have two main rules when it comes to this pumpkin patch tradition: the patch must ALSO have a corn maze (no maze, no go), and we must go to a new patch/maze each year. No repeats.
This year, my first October highlight (and our new to us pumpkin patch/corn maze) brought us about an hours drive away to Carpinito Brothers Farm. At first glance I wasn’t sure I would like this one because it was right off the freeway. Thankfully we were able to feel like we were tucked into the farm without hearing the cars driving by.
We chose to start with the corn maze, and thankfully Duncan is directionally savvy, because I am not. I tried to read the map at the same pace he did and I have no idea how he walked so fast knowing which way to go. I am someone who likes to have control over most of my situations, but this is one I’ll happily pass the baton with. Let me be the wandering corn troll over the fearless leader.
After Duncan finished finding each location within the maze, I needed a snack.
Plain roasted corn without anything on it allowed me to scour the pumpkin patch for this years chosen gourd. It didn’t take long, partially because I was boiling due to my mistake of wearing a sweater on the last 72 degree day of the year, and partially because the corn wasn’t sitting well. We both found our choices and completed another successful early October adventure.
This adventure gets me into the spirit of my favorite month, but it didn’t quite feel like enough. I haven’t participated in anything Halloween related for a while, and I felt like this year I needed a physical goal after a long season of hiking. For October highlight number two I decided to sign up for a Halloween 10k. I spent a month getting myself from hiking shape back into running shape.
I had no expectations for this race, I just wanted to show up and have a good time. I wanted to dress up, but also wanted to be able to comfortably run, so I settled on an easy classic.
This race was so much fun, and there were hundreds of other costumed runners. Surprisingly I only saw two other Waldo’s (I expected to see a lot), but I saw a TON of Forrest Gump varieties. I hadn’t been running much at all since my half marathon back in May, and I was hoping that 27 days would be enough time to get me into shape for a 10K.
Each of my training runs I dragged, and I was certain I would have to walk at some point (or at least run verrryyy slow), but not only did I manage a 10:02 pace for this run, I placed third in my age group! This will never happen again, and I credit this to the fact I was running a themed race amongst many who might not run much, but I will take the win where I can get it.
I didn’t notice the award winner section until after I was home, many hours after the race. I discovered I was supposed to pick up a 3rd place ribbon and I was bummed that I missed this, so I sent an email to the company. The race director wrote me back saying he would mail it to me, and when I say this made my week I am not exaggerating.
This is a small victory for average runners alike. LOL.
The race just so happened to be about 2 minutes by car from my current favorite GF bakery (this was soooo not planned), and Duncan and I promptly went after I was done running. We had a feast of treats, and I can’t think of a better way to finish running 6.2 miles.
I’m still in a coma from those beautiful baked goods. Pumpkin is the theme for October, cliche or not I go all in. To round out all the October highlights, Duncan and I carved our pumpkins from the patch just before Halloween. We decided to carve surprises and not tell each other what we were doing. Imagine how hard I laughed when we revealed our masterpieces.
Duncan said mine (the big one) looked somewhat like a red panda, and he thought his (the small one) had a neck that looked like it spent too much time in the gym. Because of this he wanted to put a ribbon on the neck, and I think it looks great. I was happy with how they both turned out, and they looked even better illuminated on Halloween.
If you’re having a hard time telling what mine is let me help you.
While I was sad to say goodbye to October, I look forward to settling into the slower pace of life that November and December will bring. November brings a special birthday for Duncan, and the restlessness that I will inevitably feel will encourage me to do something impetuous. Like sign up for a spring half marathon to give me a winter training focus. Who knows…
Q: What’s your favorite fall activity? I have yet to go apple picking, and I think that would be so lovely.
Blissfulbritt 
27 thoughts on “So Long Spoooooooky Season”
mariezhuikov
We go to a corn maze/pumpkin patch, too. But we go to the same one every year because it’s near our cabin. We invited the grandkids along. They love it, even though the weather is always crappy and cold.
Brittany
I think we might have to start doing repeat visits eventually. I do love making a day of the visits though by going a bit further. I’d rather have cold weather than what we had this year, it was much too warm to be in the spirit. I’m glad your grandkids have fun, it’s a great tradition.
Rootchopper
Your 10K time is outstanding. Bravo!
October has been my last chance for doing long rides. We’ve had over four weeks without rain so no wet leaves to worry about.
One more event is on the calendar, an 8-mile one-way ride in memory of local people killed by cars. It’s depressing as hell but worth doing, I suppose. If the weather is bad I’ll take a pass though.
Brittany
As I write this reply it’s torrential outside. The rain has officially come to my area. Enjoy the dry days while you have them, and I hope it’s dry for the memorial ride. Good on you for participating.
Liz H-H
Great costumes and Great Pumpkins!
Brittany
Thank you!
Tina
What a nice surprise to get a ribbon for the race, congratulations. We love pumpkin patches here as well. Have you ever been to Stocker Farms in Snohomish? They have a pretty big harvest festival and tons of pumpkins and a big corn maze. We did the maze. They had a 15 minute maze or a longer 45 minute maze, we chose the short one because we had babies with us. If you like wandering through the pumpkin patch then this isn’t the place for you though. They are very thoughtful and have everything pulled out and lined up. But there was so much to choose from.
I have been apple picking, for a few years it was a yearly tradition with my oldest grandson. Now he thinks he’s too old so we’ll have to wait for the two babies to get bigger. I usually stop by and buy a bag of apples each year, but I have fun riding the wagon out to the orchard and picking my own.
Brittany
We have not been to Stocker Farms yet for pumpkins, although I am 99% sure this is where we went last summer to pick blueberries.
Two of the three options Duncan chose this year for pumpkins were in Snohomish! I think next year we might head out there. I have never been true apple picking…like…ever!! We live in the perfect state for it, so I don’t know WHY I haven’t!!
Duncan
The pumpkin patch was great! Didnt quite live up to our other adventures, but we still had a good time!
Im so proud of you for running the 10K and even more that you placed!! Hopefully the wrens nest and the ribbons were an adequate reward!
Also yes, the daylight does not do my pumpkin justice, it looked much better at night
XOXO
Brittany
Thank you for being my cheerleader and for the post run treats! I love your gym bro cat.
hyddyr
Congratulations on the ribbon! Great pics for the season especially nice of you with kitty on the porch with 🎃!
Brittany
Thank you!! He loves any chance he can get to go outside.
Josh del Villar
Strong work in the run amiga! Very cool and I love the outfit. I’ve been thinking it’s time to get back into the race game as well. Been running plenty since coming off injury but just meandering really.
My favorite fall activity beyond continuing to run is camping. I like to be out in the cool air with the warm sun, chilly nights next to warm fires. Time to go camping too.
Love the Jack O’Lanterns and I could tell them both right away!
Brittany
Oooooh I haven’t camped in the fall yet, although when my friend and I went to Banff in September the weather felt very fall like. I would like to camp in the fall maybe in the desert, but not in the northwest. Too many slugs. LOL.
I really enjoyed participating in an organized run again. I forget how much I love the energy of other runners. Mayyybeeee you can run a race and blog about it!
Allie Zottola
I love that you guys visit a different corn maze and pumpkin patch together each year! And that you did surprise pumpkin carving and had the same idea haha. Soul mates!!!
Nice job on that 10k! I didn’t even think of Forrest Gump costumes being so popular! I like your Where’s Waldo idea. You make a great Waldo! And those bakery treats!!! YUM.
Favorite fall activity… any fall festival where I can walk around and check out handmade things (candles, baked goods, etc.) made by local vendors!
Brittany
Ooooo yes yes! I love a good fall festival too. The local handmade goodies are so wonderful. I should look for one.
Amy
Your pumpkin patch tradition is so fun!! We visited a local one in the next town over basically every year throughout my childhood. (Same one each time though; we didn’t explore new ones. That’s a brilliant idea!) They had a corn maze, and they eventually added a wooden fort-like maze too. I’d be right there with you letting Duncan lead the way… I definitely did NOT inherit my dad’s amazing map-reading abilities! 😂
My heart is absolutely melting from the adorable Little and pumpkin photos… And a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on your fantastic 3rd place finish!!! That’s incredible!! Your costume is the best. (I still remember your super brave snail choice from the past…) Such a perfect coincidence about the bakery — I’d happily polish off some (maybe even all?) of each treat!
Brittany
I think eventually we will do some repeat farms, but for now it’s been fun to go to a new one each year!
LOLOL the snail costume. I won a $25 Starbucks gift card at work for that homemade costume. HA!
Amy
That’s right!!! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed lots of coffee from that that well-earned prize! 😉
Priti
Pumpkins are looking great! Well shared 💐
Brittany
Thank you, they were fun to carve!
gpavants
Brittney,
I love it all. Pumpkin patches are the best. It’s in the air. Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
I love it all too!!
gpavants
Linus would agree.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
youngv2015
What great Halloween adventures! I love the pictures!
Brittany
Thank you, it was a fun month!
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