A trip to Jackson's Orchard

A few weeks ago, we took a little trip to Jackson's Orchard, a really beautiful place that grows peaches, apples, pumpkins, and various other awesome stuff. They have a lot going on in these busy pre-holiday weeks. While we were there, we had cider, carmel apples, fried apple pie, cherry apple cider slushes...yes, this is the south, I had to adjust my we're-going-to-freeze-our-butts-off-and-then-warm-up-with-burning-hot-cider expectations to the nearly 90 degree weather and blaring sun. Though not quite the same, cider in slushie form was well appreciated.

They also had a petting zoo...my politics on this subject are a separate post. But here is a sample of our experience:

Cadence communed with a goat!

And she saw llamas!

And got to see her first wallaby.

While we were visiting the rabbits, this sheep popped in to say hi! Cadie was a bit spooked at first.

but then she was really excited! here's what she has to say on the subject:

HHI

````````

khgfdswertyuilo;

6rdf

Then I got kicked by a rabbit. (and rightly so, good rabbit.)

and Cadence petted the pigs!

and she met a cow!

James even tried to feed the elusive moody teen, but it didn't seem to be hungry.

There was also a big castle made of straw bales to play in and climb all over!

We went on a hayride!

All in all, it was a great day.

Gratuitous cuteness. There was even a giant fluffy cat sitting behind her as she held court amongst the harvest.

I appreciated the use of the technical name on the sign for these red warty things.

Cadence watched the dog while mom paid for our wares.

And everyone picked out a pumpkin to take home and carve.

And here is the finished result!

The pictures, taken Halloween Night, didn't come out as well as I had hoped, but hey, its a transient medium, these pumpkins. They looked pretty cool, and we had a lot of fun creating them.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by James (Mr Hyde is a shadow on the wall behind the jack o lantern...unfortunately its hard to see in the pic.)

My wolf, howling at the moon. Can't see the stars here...oh well, no biggie.

Cadence's cat!

Kelly's vampire

Dad's Skull

and last but not least, we leave you with Mom's grim reaper.