This weekend was supposed to be all about crisp mountain air, apple trees, and fresh cider donuts — our annual trip to Oak Glen for apple picking. I’d been looking forward to it for weeks. We had our outfits planned, the kids were so excited, and the whole crew — Jessi, Sharon, Tanya, Ryder, Rockwell, and me — were ready for that cozy fall adventure.
But Mother Nature had other plans.
A huge mudslide hit Oak Glen the night before our trip, and the roads were completely closed. It wasn’t safe to go up, and as much as I wanted that apple orchard moment, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. So instead of scrapping the day, we pivoted — and honestly, it turned out to be perfect.
🎠 Our Backup Plan: Irvine Railroad Pumpkin Patch
We decided to head to the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, which none of us had been to yet this season. And let me tell you — it was so fun! The weather was perfect, the kids were running around in their fall looks, and everywhere you turned, there were pumpkins, hay bales, and those picture-perfect backdrops that make autumn feel like a dream.
We started with the train ride — a total hit with Rockwell, who couldn’t stop pointing out everything he saw. Ryder was in heaven with all the pumpkins and photo ops. She picked out her favorite mini pumpkin right away (of course it was pinkish-orange and totally “her”).
You know we couldn’t resist dressing up for the occasion. We may not have made it to the apple orchards, but our fall fashion game was strong. Ryder and Rockwell matched (as always), and it was just one of those days where everything felt lighthearted and full of laughter.
Even with the last-minute plan change, it reminded me that sometimes the unexpected adventures are the best ones. The kids didn’t care where we were — they just loved being together, running through the pumpkins, and sharing snacks on the grass.
We ended the day with pumpkin ice cream, sticky fingers, and so many photos I’ll be cherishing forever.
Sure, Oak Glen will have to wait until next year. But our spontaneous pumpkin-patch day? Totally worth it. Sometimes you plan for apples and end up with pumpkins — and that’s the magic of fall. 🍂
xoxoxo
AMY
