Sunny Autumn Days & Crisp Fall Nights

image by Kandice Thompson

The seasons are changing and Autumn is upon us.  There is much to do in Ashland and the neighboring villages.  The two middle weeks of October usually offer us the best views of the changing leaves and landscape.  It's a time of harvest, gathering and abundance.  We are thankful for the farmers that work the fields and the homesteaders that provide us with knowledge on storage and preserving.

Some local families and farms are setting up and preparing their pumpkin patch for the community to enjoy.  Many of these places offer a variety of family fun for a small amount of monetary funds.  You'll often find hayrides and corn mazes for all ages, straw bales and gourds in every shape and size and always some over friendly farm animals that want your undivided attention.  The smell of hot apple cider and cinnamon fill the air and some of the local ladies or bakeries have made pumpkin cookies and cake.  

This is the season that we don't usually rush and give so much fuss.  We spend time around fires and gathering with friends.  We find ourselves giving thanks for the good times and memories we are creating.  Fall brings a profound respect for nature.  We gaze in awe at the colors changing, the pumpkins galore, the final harvest of our gardens.  We say goodbye to summer and know the cold days of winter will soon be upon us.  And so we reflect on the year that has gone by so quick.

Autumn offers us many opportunities to keep us entertained.  With the cool nights usually comes clear skies, with clear skies comes a better view of the stars and moon.   There are many celestial events that take place in fall.  One big event being the Leonid Meteor Showers in mid November.  The Leonid showers are some of the best shooting stars to see.  Gathering your blankets and hot chocolate and make a special night with your family.  Try some moon viewing as well.  October offers a beautiful full moon, the harvest moon.  Locate as many planets as you can with your naked eye, then try it again with binoculars or a telescope.

Below is a list I have compiled of things that I would recommend doing this fall.  Some events are free, while others can be costly, depending on size, time or style of event.

~ Local Hay Rides, Pumpkin Patches & Family Fun ~

Badger's Great Pumpkin Patch - 9122 North Elyria Rd., West Salem - 419 846-3818; open through October; daily from 8am to dusk; offers hayrides, pumpkins, a petting zoo, a straw maze and much more. Local and seasonal vendors on weekends.  Good good & fun!  **You can find From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods there on the weekends, starting in October.

Ramseyer Farms - 3488 Akron Rd., Wooster; 330 264-0264; offers tractor-driven hayrides, a pumpkin patch, straw and corn mazes, a child-size hay bale maze, pre-picked produce, and a refreshment stand; Open September and October; Tuesday - Friday: 4pm - 7pm, Saturdays: 11am - 7pm, Sundays (in October only): 1pm - 5pm

Honey Haven Farm - pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, corn cannon, horse-drawn hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 1327 County Road 1475, Ashland, OH 44805. Phone: 419-289-3384 Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Haunted Maze, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm, October 5-27; All other fall events, Saturdays and Sundays, Noon - 6pm, September 29 - October 28 Open weekends, September 29 - October 28

Scenic Ridge Fruit Farm - Apples, corn (sweet), grapes, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, straw or hay bale maze, prepicked produce, gift shop, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo  2031 State Route 89, Jeromesville, OH 44840. Phone: 419-368-3353. Open: June - October: Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Bauman Orchards - Pick-your-own apples, child-sized haybale maze, wagon rides, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, apple cider, produce for sale, parking provide free, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo  161 Rittman Avenue, Rittman, OH 44270. Phone: 330-925-6861. Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Saturday 8am to 5pm closed Sunday.

Gale J Farm - pumpkins, Pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, train rides, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours  4991 Columbus Rd, Wooster, OH 44691. Phone: 330-262-0727.  Open: Monday thru Friday 4 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Flashlight nights in the corn maze October 24 and 25.

If you know of a local pumpkin patch or farm that offers pumpkins, hay rides and seasonal fun, please feel free to list it here, or send me the details and I will edit this post. :-)

~ Free Fun ~

There is much to do that is free or close to.  

Check your local newspaper for Trick or Treat times at the end of October.  Go ahead and dress up with your kids or grandkids.  It makes it more fun for everyone! 

Pack a picnic and visit a nice & quiet cemetery along the country side.  You'll often find that a cemetery is quiet, peaceful place that makes for a humbling experience.  Some of the old cemeteries offer unique statues and artistic stones.  

Take a country drive during the late afternoon and find a cozy spot to view the sunset.  A drive through the country to view the beautiful changing colors of the leaves can be quite romantic.  Pack a blanket, hot chocolate or tea and some sweet treats for you and your love.  Often you'll find pull off areas on back roads that are along rivers or near a nature preserve.  A nature preserve will sometimes offer a viewing deck or a small spot to pull your car over to marvel at the beauty.  These are perfect little areas to sit and cuddle with a blanket, sip your hot chocolate and enjoy the sounds and beauty of nature, while being accompanied by that special someone.  

Many counties in Ohio have their tall tales or real events that bring fourth the haunting of buildings, forests and old places.  Ohio has many areas that are considered haunted and have been written about in decades past.  There are even several local places, right here in Ashland & Mansfield that are known to be haunted and visited frequently by those not of this world.  Take a night drive by some of these spooky landmarks or make reservations or with a grounds keeper of a property to stay the night in some haunted woods. 

Many Farmers Markets are open through mid October.  Bring your kids by and let them see the colorful gourds, pumpkins and styles of corns.  You can make simple crafts out of many fall items that are safe and biodegradable.