Black Island Farms

Today was our third annual trek out to Black Island Farms in Syracuse. This years trip was especially fun because Grandma Litchfield, Aunt Heidi, Creole, Orion, Sailor and Atlas came along. The last few years we've gone as part of a group and got the group rate. Today ... not so much. Let's just say paying for admission to a movie for eleven people plus snacks would have been cheaper than today. Thank you, thank you, grandma.

The farm has the traditional corn maze, a three acre courtyard of activities and hay rides out to the fields to pick pumpkins. The thought of nine small children in a giant corn maze sounded awful so we stuck with the activities and pumpkins. The kids loved the giant hay slides, animal alley, pumpkin jump house, mini train/tractor rides, corn cannon blaster, corn pit (like a giant sand pit but with corn kernals) and play area. Mom and I were constantly chasing after kids and counting noses. Creole was a huge lifesaver and was great extra pair of eyes and hands.

My favorite part was the hayride out to get pumpkins. They loaded our group onto a huge flatbed trailer and pulled us out to the fields behind a giant tractor. It was an amazing indian summer moment as the kids raced around in perfect light. The sun was just setting, the sky was a golden pink and the Wasatch mountains and Antelope Island glowed a dusky purple. I would have loved to follow the kids out into the fields, but Sean and Ash were both tired and fussy and wanted mom's full attention on the flatbed.

After three solid hours, we opted for drive-thru five buck pizza and headed for home. All in all, what a long, perfect, tiring day. Thanks again mom.