October 30 Pumpkin Chuckin Time

Pumpkin Catapult

What a good day! It was in the high 60’s and sunny all day. We left just after 10 to go to the Pumpkin Chuckin Festival just a couple of miles down the road from us at the old airport. It was really something to see. They have 3 kinds of pumpkin chuckers: catapults, cannons and slingshots. They had a cannon that shoots a pumpkin over a mile. Of course we couldn’t see it land but they did have to move some cattle out of range of them before they could start. Then one of the catapults could shoot it so high and over 1000 feet. You watch them load and set the machines up to launch. It was hard to actually get a photo of the pumpkin but I managed to get 2, one from a catapult and one from a cannon. There were craft booths, food booths, petting zoo, and contests. We watched the pumpkin seed spitting. There was a trio singing. For lunch we both had Navajo Tacos and for dessert we had apple oatmeal chocolate chip bars. Not only were there tons of kids in costumes, but all of the volunteers working the festival were in costume and so many adults attending. Moab really gets into the spirit of Halloween.

Slingshot

Miniature horses at festival

From there we went to the Spanish Valley Vineyards and Winery. It’s very small and I was the only one there tasting. Left with 2 bottles of Riesling. Then we drove out the scenic route 128 that runs along the Colorado River. The high cliffs of red rock were beautiful. There are numerous campsites along the river, but only 2 places that can accommodate RV’s and only a few of those spaces for rigs the size of ours. 14 miles into the canyon is the Red Cliffs Lodge and Castle Creek Winery. After my tasting there and 2 bottles more of wine, we went to the lodge. In addition to being a hotel, it houses the Movie Museum. Starting in 1939 numerous movies were filmed in the valley and surrounding areas of Moab. There were photos collages of all of them and other memorabilia. Bill really enjoyed seeing all of his favorite western stars and things from their movies.

Along the Colorado River

On the way home we stopped in town to browse some the shops. We both got Dirt Shirts. They are dyed in the red clay so have a perpetual mud color. Once again Bill didn’t have his book list so he couldn’t buy any books.

Xena was glad to see us and ready to go out. While the laundry was washing we did some post cards and I checked on places to go for dinner. We ended up going to Buck’s Grill House. We timed it perfectly and didn’t have any wait. Bill had buffalo meatloaf and I had the elk stew. The yeast bread was delicious and so heavy and moist. I had a coupon for a free dessert so we shared a Hazelnut flourless chocolate cake that was drowning in whipped cream. Neither of us finished our meal and brought some home but we didn’t leave a crumb of dessert. We didn’t make it to the movie tonight so will try again tomorrow.