Pumpkin Season

It has been a wonderful season of pumpkins.

The season started with a disappointment. I was keen to complete a ride of 6 gaps with other female cyclists, Anna McCloon and Jessica Echhardt. The day prior was cold and windy. There had been mutterings in the preceding week regarding backing out due to concerns about the weather. I was determined to press on regardless, until Anna showed me some webcam footage of accumulating snow on Killington. That convinced Anna and I to seek a less icy riding alternative. We enjoyed a loop through Mass and Southern New Hampshire which Jessica recommended. We enjoyed a full day of views of the leaves and a brisk October breeze. About the time we decided to contemplate the map and how to cut soem miles off the route to compensate for our slow progress in the wind, we came apon the pumpkin fesitival in Keene, NH. It was wonderful surprise. We watched a marching band go by in costume and pushed our bikes through large crowds of costumed children. The pumpkin soup was great and so were the views of many, many, many, creative jack-o-lanterns. Even a marriage proposal spelled out in pumpkins. What a celebration!

A few weeks later, Patrick and I shopped at our neighboring farm stands to get ready for our own celebration. We had a pumpkin carving party with many jack-o-lanterns and seasonal foods including Patrick's butternut squash soup and Jonathan's pumpkin cheesecake. Delicious! Afterward, we headed out to a haunted corn maze. It was fun in the full moon but Anna and I decided we will go for the non-haunted version next time.

A few weeks later, I decided to turn some of the pumpkins left from the party into dinner. We made a great soup and also breads. Plenty of pumpkin in the freezer for later winter treats.

Also, another great year at the costume race! My favorite costume was friendly NEBC rider, Karen who dressed as an oven, complete with a metal grill and bun. What a great way to tell folks why they haven't seen you at any cross races recently! We look forward to seeing a new tiny cross fan next fall.