Pumpkin picking party!

Our little family went out to the Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch yesterday for some more fall fun! Located at the north end of the reservoir, the farm made for a WONDERFUL afternoon of activity.

When we first arrived (around 1 p.m.), we parked our car (there were plenty of spaces, plus two parking attendants to direct us) and headed for the barn. Inside, there are rows of hay bales to sit on, cold drinks you can buy, and tons of fall-themed decor and items available for sale. We paid our admission for the hay ride and pumpkin picking ($5 per person, little man was FREE!) and then explored the barn a bit while they readied the hay ride.

The hay ride takes you out on the property, where you can see a zedonk (a cross between a zebra and a donkey), some deer, some goats, the catfish/duck pond, and some cattle. Clay loved seeing the animals, and there was a nice breeze to keep us cool. (A note - it would be wise to take a cold drink with you on the hay ride. Being out in the sun like that gets hot for a little person. So, if you forget to bring your own cold drink, buy one in the barn to sip during the hay ride.)

After seeing the animals, we were driven to the pumpkin patch. Clay loved running around out there, examining this pumpkin and that one. They also had piles of hay bales that the kids could climb on and hay bale mazes. Even better, the whole play area near the patch was situated beneath tall, mature trees, so the kids played in the shade.

Once we chose our pumpkins, we loaded back into the hay ride and headed for the barn. When we got out, we got a close look at more animals - pigs, turkeys, and more goats. Clay loved this part, because he could go right up to the cages. Also, there are great set-ups for fall photos all around the barn. I couldn't get Clay to keep still enough to get any good pictures, but if you have either older OR younger kids (who aren't walking yet), you'll easily be able to get some nice photos out there.

Visiting the Nichols-Boyd Farm in the fall is going to become a tradition at the Bradshaw house! We loved it!