Gleensheen Spooktacular 2012

We had so much fun wandering through the grounds of Glensheen Mansion again this year during the Spooktacular.  It’s such a fun place to go:  not too scary, and there is so much thought put into how all 950 pumpkins are displayed on the grounds of the mansion.  Each pumpkin is so unique, and we have so much fun looking and looking for our favorites.  It was also fun to see how much everything was different from last year.  We liked it so much that the next night we sent Grandma Kathy and Auntie Dot and Cousin Alex who are visiting for the weekend.  They had a great time too.

We were very  amused by the pumpkin that was made to walk the plank on the fountain.  He looks apprehensive about his impending fall into the pool below, while an audience of hundreds of faces looks on.  I love all the personalities of the pumpkins.  We also loved the pumpkin parade, a stream of pumpkins cascading down some stairs near the end of the tour.  The Kidlets got to vote for their favorite pumpkin in a contest of about 15-20 intricately carved masterpieces.  However, hands down, our favorite thing was a trip though the kitchen of the mansion where a very silly girl was baking pumpkin pie, chopping up pumpkins right and left on the counter with a very long skewer and knife while many pumpkins with terrified faces looked on.  The girl was absolutely hilarious and the kidlets are still talking and giggling about how silly she was.

There were pumpkins with all measure of faces, pumpkins carved into animals, spiderwebs, and abstract intricate designs.  There were pumpkins with words that told messages, and pumpkins with one letter each grouped together to spell messages.  There were pumpkins that were carved to represent local landmarks.  There were pumpkins carved into arrows to tell you which way to go next, and at the end, there was even the words “Go Home” carved into a pumpkin

We had a wonderful time despite rampant quarreling and arguing on the trip to and from the Spooktacular.  Those car rides.  Why hasn’t anyone invented a soundproof shield that separates the front seat of a minivan from all the seats in the back?   It sure would be nice to push a button and have that shield zip up and drive without all the drama.