We took a few pictures and walked around for a little bit. We took the hay ride tractor back to the general store and were about to leave...and then our morning got interesting. Rob, the tractor driver (as we later learned), took a liking to our family. He's been at the farm for awhile - I think he's one of the main groundskeepers. Either he was feeling generous or we looked like we could use some hospitality. At first he was curious why we didn't pick out a pumpkin or two, and since we were just there for some cider and maybe a $1 "pie pumpkin" for some bread he probably felt sorry for us. He told us to go and pick out the 2 biggest pumpkins "on the house". A few minutes later he came by with a piece of cream cheese icing pumpkin bread...and then he came by the table we were at and asked what we wanted to drink. A few minutes into our snack he brought me a BBQ brisket sandwich with potato chips. He kept giving us free food...back and back he came with something else. The lady cooking said "we must be the special ones". After picking out our pumpkins he sent us on our way with two full bags of apples. I was offered a turkey leg too but turned it down since I was stuffed. On the way home we added up that we had been given about $40 - $50 of free food. Considering we had gone there expecting to come back with only an item or two, this was a great surprise and made the outing very memorable.
Most importantly, Julia had a good time...the hay ride, because she picked out her own pumpkin (she keeps saying it's her first very own pumpkin), and because of all the treats she ate. She likes the apple cider we brought home from the farm and the "snicker noodle" cookies I made last night.
