Smithies go to the farm

We had a lovely Smith Alumnae Farm Trip today. I started this idea a while ago, and it finally came to fruition, thanks to Daisy and others. The first hangup was organizing transportation which is what ended my first attempt. But this time it all worked. I made muffins and dashed out the door at 8:15 this morning (then had to run back because I left the muffins on the counter...argh!). I was a bit later than I intended but it was ok in the end. Then caught the train up to Tacoma station and met Daisy, Cassie, and Molly at the coffee shop. Cassie was driving this car and there were two other groups leaving from Silver Springs and Alexandria.

It was a beautiful morning for a drive with a sunny sky and brisk breeze. The leaves are starting to turn so the trees are spangled with color. We drove about an hour and a half west into Virginia to Hollins Farm, near the town of Delaplane. This is a in-development U-pick farm and orchard. Unfortunately their apples trees are still rather small so they didn't actually have any apples left to be picked although they had bins of picked fruit for sale. So the apple scene wasn't as rewarding as I had hoped. However there was lots of other fun stuff at the farm including a large pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a field of autumn greens and turnips. We picked some of everything and spent lots of time chatting. Our strategy of turning right got us through the corn maze very quickly--I think we took the shortest route possible.

Here's a picture of the group up by the greens field.

You can see how sunny it was. I got some nice small turnips, beet greens with tiny beets on them, kale, and a few leaves of mustard greens in this field. I also bought a bag of apples (Rome variety so they'll mostly be cooked I suspect) and several squash for cooking. I'd rather have squash than a jack-o-lantern. I did have to carry it back home on Metro after all.


Here's a couple of pictures of the view from the hill. This particular pumpkin patch was basically on top of the hill so it had a great view and was a great place to hang out.

The sky looks less blue because we're looking into the sun but it was a nice view of rolling hills.

Oh and here's a picture of the squash sitting on my table. They look kinda buttercup-like except for the color. I'll report on how they taste once I cook one. Actually since this picture is taken with a flash they look really bright!

I hope they are as tasty as they are colorful. The plain one is a small butternut squash.

After I got home I went to the library before it closed at 5:30. Then I went for a run this evening over to the East Potomac Park island and up around the Washington Monument. It was a beautiful evening too although the sun is already setting BEFORE 6:30. So sad to see it go.

I'm scheduled to volunteer for the WAMU (the local NPR station) fall fund drive Monday evening. I never made it to the Oregon one so I'll work at DC's instead. I'll let you know what I think about it Mom. I'm meeting Rudy, the garden manager for the temporary community garden on the site of the once and future St. Michael's St. Mathew's church tomorrow morning. Hopefully I'll be able to get a plot for the winter and spring at least. They are gardening there before construction starts on the new church and mix-ed use development that will be built on that lot in a year or two.

Good night all.
-Sarah