Oh, I love the Fall!  In fact, I love everything about this season. The colors, the crispness in the air, walks in crunchy leaves and of course, the imagination and excitement of Halloween!  There is no better place to be than Bainbridge Island this season.

To me, October is the kick off to the holidays. I like to decorate my house on October 1st.  It just puts me in a great holiday mood!  My family knows that I love this time of year.  They know that it’s time for spooky movies, costumes, butternut squash soup, candy corn and a great glass of red wine.  There is so much excitement and so much to do on the Island this time of year.

Just take a drive and look at the trees changing color.  I especially enjoy driving past the sunflower field on Weaver Road, or along Madison to see the maples ablaze in red.  Of course there’s always the annual “Pumpkin Walk”, which is a must see (October 16,17).  It’s also a great place to catch up with a neighbor you haven’t seen in a while over a hot cup of cocoa or cider.  Don’t miss Bloedel Reserve, which is just about to burst with brilliant gold, orange and red colors.  Lastly, we like to get our annual pumpkins at Suyematsu Farms on Day Road.

The pumpkins are a plenty with all shapes and sizes with great photo opportunities around every corner.  Even though my kids are getting older, they still enjoy this annual tradition.  Come October 31st you’ll be able to watch all sorts of ghosts, goblins, princesses, and pirates roaming the streets of Winslow as the whole town greets “Trick or Treaters” with candy a plenty.  Later, you can find the older “Trick or Treaters” flooding the neighborhoods filling their bags to the brim!  Great ones to hit are Northtown Woods, Hillandale, Wing Point, Stetson Ridge and of course Commodore Lane.  Even if you feel you are too old to join this tradition, never fear; the people watching is just as entertaining!

It’s also time to start buying locally…holidays are just around the corner.  Get a head start and walk through Winslow with a latte in hand from one of our many fine coffee/bakery establishments.  Even window-shopping is more fun this month, as many of our merchants decorate wonderfully in celebration of Autumn and Halloween.   Put a scarf on and get out there, you’ll be glad you did!