
We took HWY 35 to go around Mt. Hood, on our way to Hood River last weekend. And because we were looking for autumn, we also wanted to taste it too. Oh… all the orchards! I love this drive. A long time ago, when Siena was 2 and 3, we got to live in Mt. Hood during the summer. We drove this route twice a week, for 8 weeks, two summers in a row. It was a real treat. I think it is my favorite drive. Coming from Mt. Hood, from Cooper Spur, towards Parkdale and Hood River. Just amazing views of the mountains in Washington. Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier on a clear day and Mt. Hood behind us. All the trees, fruits, farms, homes.

So this time, in search for pumpkins, we went to three different farms. Because you can never have enough of farms, right? The flowers, the apples, pears, dirt.
Our first stop Mt. View Orchards.

Look at the apples…. but please also do look at the rain! It felt so good.

And yes! All the apples. We got to taste them all before buying.
Sunflowers so big!
We bought one to plant the seeds at home next year.
The red. So intense and bright in such a cloudy, gray day.
We loaded our car with 7 kinds of apples a few pears.
And apple cider, that we couldn’t wait to taste it.

Then onto our next farm, Rasmussen Farms, in search for orange. Pumpkins. But if I would have read their website it says they are retiring from farming, and the farm is listed for sale. We found that out when we arrived at the farm. That was the pumpkin patch we went to last year, when we went to Hood River last fall.
So, from our drive to go find the farm, we drove one more time by this gorgeous home! I remembered it from years ago when we had stopped first, and then again last fall. And now, a picture was a must. I love this home. 
Including the dog in the from lawn. 
So, from here we went to Drapers Girls Country Farm. (No pictures taken, nor pumpkins found.) Then to our last stop. Packer Orchards and Bakery (Hood River County Fruit Loop #10 if you are looking at that map or following that tour.)

We founds lots of apples, at 89 cents a pound, but we were filled from our first stop that were lucky to get at 75 cents a pound!

But look at this spread… spreads! Two tables put together filled with all different kinds of jams and jellies. Oh my!

Every kind was different. From peach, apple, strawberries, huckleberries… so many kinds! I think 10 feet of spreads.

And then some other yummy foods.
And check out this Huckleberry Pie Filling… haven’t tried that yet!
But Huckleberry Jalapeño… I think I’ll have to make that next year. It was so good.
Yes, we spent lots of time in this display.

And because we wanted to have a better life, we followed their suggestion.
Not a cookie, but a pumpkin cinnamon roll. Wow.. it was good. But next time I think I’ll take it warm and with a cup of chai.

I think this is the first time the kids have had a caramel apple. This was the place to do it, for sure!

And well? Our search for pumpkins ended here. They had pumpkins bought from another farm, placed them on the side of their building. Not a real pumpkin patch as we had hoped. So we got some other kinds of orange, still beautiful and fun gourds and a car filled with apples. We found autumn and brought some home with us.