Smashin' Pumpkins at Half Moon Bay

I still get goosebumps when I recall the size of those pumpkins to this day. Rows and rows of pumpkins of all colors, shapes, and sizes. This is Half Moon Bay, Home of the world famous Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.

A short and leisurely 45-minute drive along Highway 1 south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is a rustic coastal city in California's San Mateo Country. And each year, the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival showcases some of the largest pumpkins in the world, with some weighing in at more than a thousand pounds. Seriously smashin' pumpkins...

On a road trip some years back, the festive road side displays along Half Moon Bay seemed like a good idea for a short stop. And I'm glad I did. The wide assortment of pumpkins was quite a sight, and a great way to experience the local vibe. The different shades of pumpkins, from a pale white to deep red and the familiar bright orange greet you as you enter the field. Nothing like a road trip, long or short, to experience the real pulse of the community. And make frequent stops. You'll never know what you'll see...

...like this baby. One of the "losers" in the pumpkin weigh-in, loaded on a truck, purchased and ready for delivery. That's easily worth about a thousand pumpkin pies right there. The long drives, the many stops along the way, and local flavors, all add up to your travel experience. And I miss being back on the road...

Here's wishing everyone a happy halloween...

To see more on the awesome pumpkins at Half Moon Bay, check my post on my other blog here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2011/09/smashin-pumpkins.html.

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