An Arcadian Adventure

Any image search of northern California landscapes, earth, nature, or outdoors-y scenes will yield a myriad of colors and locales but an overarching palette of warm, earthy, sun-weathered expansiveness--a welcome change from Beijing's astronomical assemblages or the monotonal sheen of airports galore.

Now it's October, and the light has changed from sizzling to sun-crisped, the leaves submitting to autumnal breezes and the colors of aging: crimson, mustard-yellow, ochre.


Whenever the clime takes its seasonal turn, I start feeling convivial.  Consequently, a few weekends ago I found myself at the Silveyville Pumpkin and Tree Farm, located in Dixon, California--on a quest for pumpkins and Halloween cheer.


While 4 acres of almonds and walnut trees were unfortunately removed to accomodate said pumpkin patch, groups of nut-bearing trees remain, providing shade, dramatic disruption to an otherwise unimpeded horizon, and delicious food, too!

On display are dozens if not hundreds (ok, definitely hundreds) of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.
The Contenders 

While mega-squash rest on their laurels, myriad heirloom varieties also show off their strengths.









A strange and motley cast of scarecrows populates the farm--sartorial choices always successful.







More info on Silveyville Farm can be found on their website, and on Davis Wiki.