Happy October everyone! Normally I tell you all the great things to do in our little city, but this month I am going to suggest you pack up and get out of town!
Not getting enough time in the great outdoors? May I suggest getting in that last chance camping trip. We’ve had great luck at the cabins in Taconic State Park. It is less than 2 hours away but you will feel like you are in another world. There are several trails easy enough for the little ones with great rewards. And if you are like us, non-tent people, you can stay in the cabins with wood burning fireplaces throughout the month, but act fast. They close in November and won’t open again until spring. Click on the link to see available camp options and prices. 
(Photo from VisitUSA.com.)
One of my families favorite fall traditions is Hershey Dark in the Park. Now, I know some of you may be saying that such a trip has nothing to do with CSA ideals, but I beg to differ. Number one, it gets you outside spending some very enjoyable time with your wee folk, no? Number two (which is where our sustainable living longings get satisfied) is that it is in the heart of the Amish country. If you ever wanted to know anything about preserving farm grown goodies you need to get yourself to an Amish farm pronto! Those people can pickle anything, I mean anything, and make it taste amazing. Not to mention they are insane bakers that provide all their own ingredients. Calories from a sustainably grown shoo-fly pie don’t count, right?
I suggest swinging by Bird-in-the-Hand or Plain and Fancy, both are amazing Amish run restaurants that celebrate farm to table culture and offer up some baked goods to take home and pass off as your own. For the preserves paradise you can only dream of head to Intercourse PA to Kitchen Kettle Village. There are several stores there that will let you sample your way into a relish coma. We literally spend all day there and leave plenty of space in the trunk for hauling back one of a kind goods that will last all winter long. There is also a handmade pretzel factory near by that offers tours and lets you get your hands in on the action.
Maybe you are a bit of a homebody and don’t want to stray too far? That’s okay too. The Queens County Farm Museum is packed with October activities. In addition to the corn maze still being open, which I told you about last month, there is pumpkin picking available all weekends throughout the month.
Then there is Apple Festival from 11-4, October 2nd. Free!!!!!
October 2 
(Photo from Queens County Farm Museum Website.)
On October 30th, you can enjoy the Children’s Fall Festival for a scant $5. There will be pig races and hayrides, arts & crafts, a haunted house, bouncy houses, music, an ecology both, festival food, and more. Kids are encouraged to dress up. (The big kids can dress up too!) 11 AM-4 PM.
I hope your October is filled with thrills!
-Brandi
Forest Hills CSA 