It's PUMPKIN Patch time and we have some great ones in the Northwest!

Growing up as a child in Los Angeles, California, pumpkin patches and farms were make believe places I saw on TV or in the movies.  Even after moving to Washington in my teens, my parents stuck with the usual store purchased pumpkin and didn't properly introduce me to any farms. 

Now with children of my own I have finally spent the last few years enjoying the TRUE holiday of Halloween and all it's activities of a Pumpkin Patch.  I had no clue that some have rides, mazes, petting zoos and so much more to offer than just pumpkins. 

Olympia, WA has a several great pumpkin patches just in this area.  I've heard of many throughout the Puget Sound are wonderful and if you have any travel plans to be in the Northwest in October, you won't be disappointed if you make a pit stop at the Pumpkin Patch! Ask a local where their favorite farm is to visit and you're likely to be given a decent location. 

I will admit it can get a little pricey at the more popular locations, so we spend a little money on a couple rides and the hay maze and actually just get one or two very small pumpkins the kids can carry on their own and save our money for the large pumpkins to be purchased at the grocery store. 

This year we chose to visit Hunter's Pumpkin Patch here in Olympia with some friends.  I had been visiting Schilter's Family Farm the last couple years with my daughters school groups.  We had a great time with the girls running through a maze as we watched them get lost from above.  I watched my son take his first Pony ride while my daughter took a scream down the slide and a fun ride on a ATV and Haunted train.  The activities are fun and if you get lucky (as we did this year) to get some sunny Northwest October weather, it makes for an even better day at the farm.

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Tolmie State Park - Washington

Today's Photo Friday is a picture I took last month with my iphone and just dolled up a little using Picnik (a website I LOVE for photo editing).  It may not be the best photo, but I think it shows how amazing the simple things can be.  We visit this small state park often that is near our home.  On this particular day, the bridge we've walked over many times before seemed extraordinary to me and I snapped a quick picture with my iphone since I didn't have my digital with me.

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Where in the World is Traveler's Barista?

Hello to all my travel readers and followers! You may have noticed that my normal daily posting have become more like once or twice weekly and unfortunately, nothing at all so far this week.  I just wanted to reassure you all that my writing will continue and I'm just here at home in the Northwest getting my career back up and going in Real Estate after taking a couple years off from being home with my children. 

My travels are still non-stop and I am leaving this evening for two states in four days with my mom.  Along with our ongoing family camping trips and upcoming travels, my passion still lives on, but I just haven't had as much time to share my stories with all of you.  Please check back often as I get things back on track with setting aside more time for blogging, traveling and chatting with all of you on twitter!

Here's a taste of my next upcoming Post...

Camping Deception Pass State Park (Whidbey Island)

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What a VIEW! (Out the window)

Ok, so it is called "Foto FUN Friday" afterall and this photo was just too priceless not to share! My son after a bath making sure to see the sites out our 24th floor suite in Vancouver, B.C.  He loved watching the cars and people below and thankfully they couldn't see him above.

Have any Fun and Priceless pictures of your Kids traveling?

(You know, the ones you'll get out and show their future spouse)

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Mossyrock Park Camping - Tacoma Power

Just an hour and twenty minutes South East of Olympia you can find four different camping grounds owned and maintained by Tacoma Power.  These parks are reserved on the State park website, but in my opinion are far superior to state campgrounds.  Maybe not so much privacy on the sites, but very well kept and full of activities.

We booked our second trip to Mossyrock Park (the last trip several years ago) and it was just as nice as I recalled.  We arrived and easily found our space #161 on the upper camping level.  This was by far the largest campsite we've ever reserved, although part of it was technically the "horse shoe" play area, but no one ever came to use it.  It had a great peak-a-boo view of the lake and just a short walk away was a playground for the kids.  My daughter noticed it the moment we pulled in and immediately dragged me over to play, which worked out well for letting my husband set up camp. 

We were actually surprised by the warm weather we received and I was a little hot because I had packed for rain and cold.  If your family has a boat or enjoys water activities, this is the place to be! Riffe Lake is vast and many people come with a boat or jet skies in tow. 

Don't want to get in the water? Take a 15min drive East towards the City of Morton and stop at the Mossyrock Dam for an amazing site!  This Dam is Washington State's tallest and very impressive to say the least.  If you've got some time, continue on to the small but charming town of Morton to hit the local grocery store to stock up on camping supplies or anything you may have left from home.  Although Mossyrock does have a small convienence store in town if there is anything you need to get right away while camping, as well as a small one inside the campground.

Overall this was a great camping trip for our family.  I know camping is about hiking and activities and things you don't normally do at home, but the playground was the biggest entertainment for my kids, second to riding bikes. 

Vist any one of the four Tacoma Power Campgrounds and I am sure you won't be disappointed.  It's not the "nature lover's" campgrounds, but there's plenty to see and do in and around the lake.

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