Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Autumn in the Valley

Brian and I have a few traditions throughout the year and one of them is a road trip north into the Hudson River Valley at some point in October.

Autumn in the Valley
  Most years it happens a little earlier in the month but extra warm conditions have kept the leaves from turning until now.

Autumn in the Valley
For the past month I've been monitoring the foliage report on the I Love New York web site and peak conditions were predicted for this past weekend. Fortunately, mother nature also blessed us with fine weather for the drive.

Autumn in the Valley
We began at Meadowbrook Farm in the town of Wappingers Falls, about 70 miles from Manhattan.

Autumn in the Valley
A relaxed atmosphere, lots of pumpkins, bunny rabbits, goats, ducks and an extremely interesting array of chickens strolling around freely.

Autumn in the Valley

Autumn in the Valley
We saw varieties we'd never seen before including this Black Cochin with fine feathered feet.

Autumn in the Valley
We stocked up on pumpkins and a few of the freshly baked cookies that were for sale in the farm store. 

Autumn in the Valley
We'd also brought lunch with us and relaxed at one of their picnic tables while our pup rolled on the grass and the wandering chickens gave her a wide berth.

Autumn in the Valley
Next we headed to a large farm in the town of Fishkill.

Autumn in the Valley
This orchard and farm store offers apple picking, more pumpkins and squash and many other vegetables for sale in the store.

Autumn in the Valley
A long line outside was waiting for freshly made apple cider doughnuts that smelled heavenly. Oh, if only we hadn't already stuffed ourselves with cookies...

It was dusk by the time we returned home but I'd already cooked up a storm the day before. So, we had cocktails chilling in the fridge and a pot roast dinner that just needed to be reheated. What a lovely day!

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like a perfect way to spend an autumn day! Your pup is adorable!

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  2. I keep intending to do a trip like this.. But as a non driver I would have to modify and do it by public transportation. Such beautiful colors

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  3. It looks like it was an amazing day--one of the things I miss most in Alaska is fall colors season. I'm envious!

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  4. Such a lovely trip! Thanks for taking us along....

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  5. I lived right by there for two years. So pretty in the fall.

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  6. This is exactly everything I love about fall! That chicken with his little pantaloons is adorable. :-)

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