Finally found an awesome pumpkin patch
We've gone to a different pumpkin patch every year for the last 6ish years, because none of them cut the mustard. Some are too far away; some nickel-and-dime you (an entrance fee, plus a per-pound price for pumpkins, plus a fee for rides?); some are over-crowded spectacles (more like a fair than a farm); one had a trout "pond" (more like a "tub") that was helpful in opening a dialogue with the children about the ethics of farmed fish, but was otherwise morally repugnant.¹
Today, on a whim, we drove to a patch in Carnation called Camp Korey. The website is a bit understated but this place delivers the goods!
* No lines for activities (and activities were at a minimum. It was more about the pumpkins)
* About 25 miles out of the city (made somewhat more challenging by the I-405 closure)
* A good selection of pumpkins, at 40 cents/lb (Aaron picked a 32 pounder!)
* Free hay-ride²
* The "petting zoo" was 2 cows. Small, but unique.
* Fire pit. Doesn't seem like much, but after being outside on a drizzly fall day, this is awesome.
* Best of all, the whole setup is a non-profit, dedicated to providing camps for disabled youth!
They're having a slacktivism donation drive right now. For every "Like" they get on their facebook page, a philanthropist will donate a dollar to the organization. So even if you don't visit, the least you could do is help send $1 their way.
¹ it also introduced the boys to the next step in fishing after reeling in the fish, i.e. beating it to death. Food for thought.
² Lillia's first hay-ride. For the first 5 minutes she thought it was the best thing ever, until suddenly she decided it was the worst thing ever.