As much as I love living in the city, I sometimes feel like I have to get out. I'm not really a nature's person but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate what she provides for us. Picking my own apples and pumpkins - something I have not done before- is a rite of fall that I'm beginning to look forward to since I moved to New York. It's a healthy day out in the fresh air and a great picture taking opportunity, but most of all it's the thrill of getting close to the land and bringing home fruit and vegetables that you actually picked.
There are so many farms around New York opening their fields to visitors during harvest season.
Pickyourown.org lists farms that welcome strangers to harvest their own fruits and vegetables and bring home a crop of fresh picked produce. We picked
Greig farm which is almost 2 hrs drive from NYC.
Tara hard at work picking apples.
I think this is the most innovative Halloween event I have ever seen. Almost 3,000 pumpkins each hand-carved to a unique jack o'lantern by artists displayed in Van Cortlandt Manor's dark and mysterious 18th-century 
riverside landscape. Along with spooky music, sound and light effects it's sensational. I was amazed by the big spider web, dragons and snakes made with pumpkins. It's hard to imagine, so I would recommend you to go see it. Print your tickets online in advance because most nights are already sold out and there are only a few nights left. Don't forget it starts after 6 pm.
