Shades of Autumn

Last weekend we went to Stades Pumpkin Farm in Spring Grove and had a wonderful time! Stades has it down pat - there is a corn maze, wagon rides, pony rides, hay mountain, pedal cars and lots of stuff to keep the little kids busy. You have to get tickets for most of the rides, but they don't gouge you on the price. For us "older kids", they also have a Pumpkin Cannon - it is a riot to see the Pumpkins get launched into outer space!



If you didn't want to trudge through the pumpkin patch to get your pumpkins, there were plenty to choose from near the entrance.



Our little corn angel!



You could also ride on a combine -


They had a fine collection of antique and modern farm equipment.






All in all, it was a lovely day and we'll be back again next year.

The Franklin Cider Mill

On our way back to Illinois from our weekend in Michigan, we stopped at The Franklin Cider Mill for the world's best Apple Cider and Cider Donuts - yummmmmm! The place was really busy and has changed some but the cider and donuts are still as delicious as ever.





Long lines of folks hungry for the wonderful apple delicacies that await them inside.



A sign that is posted and explains the history of the mill.



The water wheel that powers the mill. This is a new one, painted Candy Apple Red.



This the original governor that controlled the speed of the water wheel when the Franklin River would rise.



A shot of the Franklin River, an off-shoot of the River Rouge that runs behind and thus, powers the water wheel. The bouncy things are new - I guess they needed something to entertain the kids. When I was little, we used to just run up the sandy hill behind or play on the banks of the river.



Delicious, fresh apple cider made from Honey Crisp apples - the nectar of the gods! *Cheers*