Pumpkin Picking At Devon Point Farms Is A Treat For All!! #Pumpkins #NewEngland

**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given items for review purposes.**

About Devon Point Farm-

Devon Point Farm in Woodstock Connecticut specializes in Grassfed Beef, Vegetable & Flower CSA Farm Shares, and Farm Camp and now APPLE CIDER and pick-your-own pumpkins in the Fall! The farm specializes in sustainable food production through holistic management techniques and serves as a training and proving grounds for new farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and future policy makers with it's apprentice program.

Erick and Patty Taylor are the owners of one of America’s most quintessential farms, Devon Point Farm. The Taylors bring a unique combination of skills to farming that have resulted in the construction of 3 different farms, as the demand for their farm products grew. Starting with a small farm in Rhode Island first, then growing to a larger farm in Vermont, and then returning "home' to Connecticut to their current and best farm yet.

A New England tradition in the fall is to pick apples, pick pumpkins, and drink tons of apple cider!!! Every year we spend at least one weekend doing those activities and we have a blast!!

This year we visited Devon Point Farm in Woodstock, CT to get our pumpkins!! 

Driving up the long driveway, we got to see some pretty gorgeous things.  The Taylor's house for one is spectacular, and then you see the flowers!!

After you are amazed by the sheer beauty of the flowers (which are available for picking and for special events like weddings,) then you see the pumpkins and the barn!!

Inside are a ton of fun goodies!!  You get to see the actual press that they use to make their raw apple cider.  A press that Mr. Taylor re-built himself.  The cider is absolutely delicious.  I also highly recommend their mini cider donuts.  I would have taken a picture of those, but they barely made it out of the driveway before they were all eaten!!

After we enjoyed our tour inside the barn, we went outside to get our pumpkins.  You can either grab a pumpkin that is already picked and near the barn, or you can head out and get your own.  We did both!!

On our way out, Mrs. Taylor let us know about a surprise gem on the property that you just have to see.  They took a hollowed out tree, and turned it into a Winnie the Pooh house!!  We had a lot of fun playing in it!!

Over all we had a great time at Devon Point Farm, and we will be heading back!!  

You can learn more about Devon Point Farm's by checking out their website, and Facebook page!! 

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

31st Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

This looks like a lot of fun.  I wish I lived closer!!

31^st Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

A Thanksgiving Tradition

NC Holiday Flotilla, photography by Joshua McClure

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - Named one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2013, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla weekend, a coastal Thanksgiving tradition, returns to Wrightsville Beach,Nov. 27-30.

Celebrating a 31-year run, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla attracts 50,000 visitors to its culminating event, a maritime parade featuring thematically decorated power yacht and sailboat floats. The spectacle, reflected in the Banks Channel, glitters with thousands of twinkling lights.

Located directly on the parade route, sponsor and host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort launches the weekend with a gala, Thanksgiving Day feast for early arrivals. Soundside, Cape Fear Naturalist Captain Joe Abbate navigates local waters guiding Masonboro Island, Harbor Island and Sunset Cruises for the family.

Friday brings Santa Claus and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to Wrightsville Beach Town Hall Park. Children anxiously await, list in hand, for a personal audience with St. Nick. At 7:00 p.m., The Embers - Featuring Craig Woolard, headline Atlantic Marine's festive Flotilla Launch Party, including dancing, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and silent auction of gifts from civic-minded supporters.

"One of the hidden gems during flotilla weekend is Saturday's Festival in the Park for the children," said Pres Davenport, Chairman of the Holiday Flotilla board.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the park is bustling with bouncy houses, slides, climbing walls, the Arab Choo Choo, live blue-grass music, an antique auto show, and, an estimated 100 booths featuring local merchants and arts and crafts vendors. Children will have an opportunity to decorate and submit entries in the flotilla boat-coloring contest, and Home Depot will be on site with wooden boat kits, free for young carpenters. Admission is free for the entire family.

2013 Best In Show, Photography by Beth Watson-Hedgepeth

Saturday at 6:00 p.m., a short burst of aerial fireworks will light up the sky announcing the twilight parade of beautifully lit and decorated power and sailing vessels. The flotilla weaves a 4-mile route through Motts Channel, Banks Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway, passing the judges' viewing stand at Blockade Runner, all competing for $10,500 in cash prizes. A panel of judges, including John Boy, of John Boy and Billy's Big Show, carefully select the winners. Text voting continues this year, with the Crowd Favorite and People's Choice Awards determined by spectators.

Immediately following the flotilla, a stunning 21-minute, 4,000-round fireworks display illuminates the night sky, showering the waterway with sound and color. "We have a long show by Zambelli International, one of the most reputable fireworks companies in the world," said Davenport. "We're able to put on a really impressive display that rivals or surpasses most July 4^thshows. Most shows are 15 minutes. That additional five to six minutes puts a great cap on the weekend with an impressive fireworks finale."

"Another thing we're really excited about this year is the fact that the Surfrider Foundation has volunteered to help clean up the waterway and beaches the morning after the fireworks show, to make sure the debris is gone and we are good stewards of the environment," said Davenport.

Flotilla website: www.NCHolidayFlotilla.org

Host hotel accommodations: Click here

 
This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Maine Reports Gradual Change In Leaf Color In The North #VisitMaine

Great Country Fairs This Weekend!

Augusta, ME September 17, 2014 - There is a hint of color in northern Maine as The Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports low 10 – 30%  color change and very low leaf drop. 

 

“We are right on target for a glorious fall foliage season, said Gale Ross, Fall Foliage Coordinator for Maine. “With the low leaf drop we anticipate that the northern part of the state will soon be a tapestry of beautiful colors,” she added.

 

For more information visit the state’s official foliage website www.MaineFoliage.com and receive weekly reports by e-mails. Visitors and natives can share their photos of the riot of color throughout the state as the leaves gradually change. For information about the fall foliage ranger-led hikes in state parks and public lands visit www.maine.gov/dacf/fallfoliagehikes.

 

Now is the time to plan a trip to beautiful Aroostook County in northern Maine for a ringside seat to experience sensational fall foliage.  Aroostook is so big that it actually covers an area greater than the combined size of Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Aroostook State Park offers hiking trails that provide great views from atop Quoggy Jo Mountain.  http://www.visitaroostook.com/

 

While waiting for the leaves to change, there is still plenty to do in Maine this weekend.  Maine’s Lakes and Mountains Region is a wonderland of hiking and biking trails. The 17^th Annual Harvest Fest & Chowdah Cook-off takes place in Bethel on September 20^th complete with scarecrows and harvest decorations as well as an arts & crafts festival, a farmer’s market, forest-products mill tours, a 50-mile scenic bike tour and the famous Chowdah Cook-off. Location: Bethel Village. Times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information www.bethelmaine.com.

 

Or travel up to Unity between Waterville and Bangor for the popular Common Ground Country Fair held from Friday, September 19^th through Sunday, September 20^th.  The fair boasts a great farmers’ market, crafts and folk arts, Indian basketmakers, and entertainment on the Maine Folk Traditions stage.   Participate in a 5K foot race, enjoy sheep dog demonstrations, and watch a draft horse show.  This annual celebration of rural living and organically grown Maine produce also offers some of the best festival food in Maine. http://www.mofga.org/theFair

 

For a complete list of activities and events in Maine this fall visit www.visitmaine.com

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Wyndham Hotel Group’s Autumn Foliage Getaways #WyndhamHotels

WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP’S FALL FOILAGE GETAWAYS

·         Rutland, Vermont – Famous for spectacular views and ample hiking paths, the Green Mountains just south of Rutland have some of Vermont’s most beautiful fall foliage. Take in the changing leaves throughout September and October, and be sure to spend some time in Manchester for their farmers’ markets and to see the Hildene mansion, which was once home to Abraham Lincoln’s son.

o   DEAL ALERT: Book your stay at the Days Inn Rutland at least seven days in advance and receive 15% off your stay!

·         Lenox, Massachusetts – A popular summer destination, The Berkshires is known for its tranquility and culture. Take a drive through the October Mountain State Forest to soak up the greenery and see what inspired the likes of Herman Melville.

o   DEAL ALERT: Book your stay at Days Inn Lenox at least seven days in advance and save 10%!

·         Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan – Bordering Canada, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has some of the world’s most vibrant foliage, which is said to be visible from space! Drive along the coast of Lake Superior, or visit one of the areas’ many nature reserves and parks to experience autumn at its best.

o   DEAL ALERT: Book your stay at the Days Inn or Super 8 Sault Ste. Marie at least seven days in advance and receive15% off the total price, or book at the Ramada Sault Ste. Marie and receive the best rate plus 2000 Wyndham Rewardspoints!

·         Glenwood Springs, Colorado – While Colorado is known around the world for its spectacular skiing, the foliage is noteworthy as well. Take a quick drive to Aspen to experience Independence Pass, which is only open between May and November. A hike or drive through the area is the perfect way to observe the changing leaves and take in the breathtaking views.

o   DEAL ALERT: Book your stay at Ramada Glenwood Springs at least 7 days in advance and save 15%!

·         Portland, Oregon – Portland is notorious for its farm-to-table dining, microbreweries and niche book shops, but visitors can also revel in the Pacific Northwest’s majestic autumn by taking a stroll through Hoyt Arboretum or the Japanese Garden, and driving through the Columbia River Gorge, the largest National Scenic Area in the US.

o   DEAL ALERT: Book your stay at the Ramada Portland and save 15% on your total price, or book at the Days Inn Portland and receive the best available rate plus 2000 Wyndham Rewards points!

Now through September 15th, members who visit www.wyndhamrewards.com and register for the program’s “Unpack Your Bonus Promotion” will receive the opportunity to virtually “unpack” a suitcase and reveal a bonus that will multiply points earned on future stays by up to 10 times. Members can also enter for a chance to win a prize of anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000 this summer via the program’s “One Million Dollar Sweepstakes.” To enter, members need only visit www.wyndhamrewards.com/win or call 1-866-996-7937. Non-members may enter by enrolling in Wyndham Rewards through one of the above methods, or in person at any participating hotel. There is no cost to enroll in the program or to enter the sweepstakes.



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.