It was another great day at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. I of course ate lots more delicious food, listened to some wonderful live music and enjoyed all of the other goings on around the farm. I walked just under eight kilometres from one end to the other and back again repeatedly, doing my best to work off all those calories. I also spent some fun time with the Vala family as we dreamed and planned some exciting projects for the coming year and beyond. I'll be back on the farm again tomorrow for one last day, doing more of the same.
Done right
While I have really, really enjoyed the fresh baked pies and other food at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch I have also enjoyed seeing how the signs we crafted have been enhanced with all manner of creative landscaping and displays. The Vala’s talented crew have built rock planters around the bases of the signs and then filled them with colourful pumpkins or flowers. It makes a big difference, magnifying the presence of the sign. While I stood quietly to the side observing I have noticed overheard many guests commenting on the signs and then taking the time to pose family in front to take a picture. We know these pictures are shared on social media with family and friends multiplying the effectiveness of the signs in the process.
Worth the long wait!
I got up extra early this morning (2:15 am) to head to the airport. I spent much of the day in airports and on planes but arrived in Nebraska safe and sound. I’ll be spending a few days at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, seeing the farm in all its fall glory. I’ll be watching the crowds, sizing things up and dreaming up future projects. But it won’t be all work. They have many amazing eating establishments on the farm and I (in the name of research) will try all of them, sampling as many delicious dishes as possible. I already know the Pie Barn will be my favourite. I visited tonight and had a very tough time choosing which would be the first variety to sample. After some deliberation I settled on the peach pie. Good peach pie is very hard to find. My anticipation had been building since my first site visit last April. Valas Farm wasn’t open back then. And in summer when I helped them install the signs wee had fabricated they were closed as well. But all that patient waiting was worth it as I took my first bite of my peach pie. It was the very best pie I’ve ever eaten! I’ll make sure I do at least some hard work before I make my way to the Pie Barn at morning coffee time tomorrow. The cherry pie is calling…
