Here in the Bay Area of California we typically have an Indian summer, but right about four weeks or so beyond the autumnal equinox, fall starts to set in. Thanks to our friends Anna & Jeff, we finally made plans specific to the season, and went to a pumpkin patch this past Sunday. Arata’s Farm just south of Half Moon Bay has one of the larger “pumpkin patches” along this part of the coast (pumpkin patch is in quotes, because I believe Arata’s Farm brings all their pumpkins in from elsewhere). The weather was perfect for a fall outing; a light fog off the ocean, yet warm enough to only need a light jacket.

Pumpkins, Hay Bale Maze, etc. etc… Where is the cheese!?

Knew I’d hear from the inner-cheese voice soon enough. The cheese was with the picnic lunch we had packed. If, like us, you need to watch how much you spend, taking a picnic is pretty much always an option on the weekend. Particularly if you have cheese to share. Cheese, in colder months, is very easy to bring along. We had three types with us; Pedrozo Black Butte Reserve [prior posting about Pedrozo here], some Swiss cave-aged Gruyère, and some Purple Haze goat-milk cheese from Cypress Grove Chevre. Along with crackers, salami, some mustard, mayonnaise, a loaf of sweet French bread we bought in downtown Half Moon Bay, and some Triple Chocolate Almonds from Charles Chocolates, we had quite a feast.

If there’s a point to this posting at all, it’s that you should take a moment this coming weekend to enjoy the season, and bring a picnic lunch with cheese, no mater where you go. I guarantee it’ll be more satisfying then any fast food you might pick up.

Below is a video clip of us attempting to make our way through the Hay Bale Maze (while avoiding running into the Minotaur).

Below is a video clip of members from the Western Circle of Swordfighters in one of their demonstration spars. It was an added free bonus of Arata’s Farm.

Having any specific cheese this fall? Plans for cheese on Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comment section.