Every October our family celebrates the French and Indian War before Halloween. (What?!?!)
Well, here is the thing. In Ligonier, there was a British fortification along time ago. And now, there is a museum that commemorates the fort and the history. And it is recognized as a National Historic site. And generations of people have come to the fort to see what it is all about. And on one particular weekend in October, every year, thousands of people flock to Ligonier for a bunch of different reasons.
When a 2-year-old arrives at Fort Ligonier Days, she tries to grasp the magnitude; the history; the fellowship. She patrols the crowd. She soaks in the drizzle. No precipitation, no matter how strong, will rain on this parade. As the bands start to play and the horses gallop, she spots the reason why she has come this far...
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Pure joy is when a rain-soaked man in a hot dog costume, waving from his luxurious wienermobile, captures the eye of a little girl. She loves him for what he is - a rain-soaked man in a hot dog costume - and she loves hot dogs, having no concept of the pig they once were. It can only be described as a magical moment between a heartfelt fanatic and a ballpark frank.
I haven't cried in public in a long time.
Field Trip /Farm
That same 2-year-old did not participate in a field trip to Vale Wood Farms the following Monday. She was a bit under the weather, maybe still under a cloud of mist and magic from Ligonier. Alas, my wife and I accompanied my 4-year-old to Vale Wood for two solid hours of pre-Halloween hysteria.
We started with a tractor ride. The weather was perfect autumn - a shining sun, crisp air, and a farmland smell. My eldest daughter was not convinced it was a real farm. She expressed this to me as we were being pulled by a tractor. Her contention was that real farms had more than cows. She was quite disturbed. I reassured her that Vale Wood Farms was real and not some Hollywood set in Loretto. My words were meaningless.
Then, we saw two pigs. Authentic farm. Soon to be hot dogs, but nonetheless, authentic farm.
After the hayride, there was plenty to do. Vale Wood has a water balloon launcher constructed into wooden poles to send gourds into the atmosphere. There is even targets to aim for or small children if you are some sort of madman. Gourd launcher - genius with a touch of danger. If you want to steer clear of flying gourds, the corn maze offers confusion and of course, corn. My daughter was initially bored by the concept, but once we got into the maze, she lit up like a jack-o-lantern. It was a fun walk amongst the stalks. It was time for lunch.
My lunch was pumpkin a la mode. It was pumpkin ice cream topped on a pumpkin gob. It was healthy because A) milk does a body good and B) pumpkin is a vegetable. If you had ever viewed the expanded version of the food pyramid, you would find pumpkin a la mode in fine print at the peak.
Thank you Vale Wood - for the cows, for the pigs, for one great pumpkin party!
Field
On the 3rd Saturday of October, the field was out in harvest glory for the Red Cross Vampire 5K/10K. This annual run supports a tremendous organization. Dressed as a pumpkin, I separated from the patch and enjoyed the sunshine and Halloween spirit. Costume camaraderie was all around.
I treated myself to a maple glazed donut after crossing the finish line. Year after year, race after race, I enjoy seeing the community in motion - on the pavement, on the trail, around town. Runners and walkers set the stage for the next generation so they just don't sit at home and eat maple glazed donuts. Eat maple glazed donuts after crossing a finish line.
Special thanks to the Red Cross for organizing this great seasonal event. Thanks to the Johnstown Running Club for their growing initiative - to organize an exercise-enthused community.
Forest
Saturday afternoon was reserved for Mom and Dad time. Mom and Dad time @ Royal Berkshire, the regal nickname of Berkley Hills golf course. My wife and I hit many a tree, but lost no balls to the forest. It was 9 holes of mediocre, splendid golf. It was our autumn Master's.
As October leads to November, get out and enjoy our landscape while you can. Do not be foolish and prescribe to a myth that there is nothing to do in Johnstown.
Like Frankenstein, Johnstown is alive.
Live it up.
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