A Fall a-Fair

The leaves are changing, a breeze is blowing through the windows and finally, all the air conditioners have been turned off once and for all. (At least until next Summer) Fall has arrived and I could not be more excited! I used to be a Spring gal myself but I realized all of the joys of the Fall now and it has quickly taken over as my favorite season because really, every New Englander has a glorified view of this time of the year. 

 

~Wide open spaces~

Although the mercury has been bouncing around for the last few weeks, the one event that kicks off my Fall every year is the Durham Fair! When I was a kid, I remember doing EVERYTHING! I would wander around the fair grounds for 3 days and knew the layout like the back of my hand.

~Photo by Liepa Gust~

~Photo by Liepa Gust~

~Photo by Liepa Gust~

As I grew up and went to college, the fair become the reunion ground because almost all of our friends would come home for that weekend. It was the best chance to see the most people and catch up. The fair also became something that I enjoyed sharing with new friends. Since college and moving away from home, I have friends from all over the country who now live in New York with me. The concrete jungle has a myriad of things to offer, but Central Park is no comparison to the open spaces of rural living. Every year I make it my mission to coax friends home with me for the fair. (Usually telling them about all of the food is all the convincing that is necessary)

~Photo by Meghan Hawes~

~Photo by Meghan Hawes~

This year was no different and 2 of my New York friends were able to share the start of Fall with me the only way I know how- by eating our weight in fair food! Although the fair was the main event of our weekend we also were able to enjoy some of my other favorite Connecticut spots when we grabbed lunch at Lyman Orchards and took it to Gouveia Vineyards. Lyman's is a family owned business that features Pick-Your-Own seasonal produce, the Apple Barrel country shop, as well as several golf courses and a banquet facility. The also boast "Connecticut's Best" apple pies and cider that will blow your mind. Gouveia Vineyards is a fantastic place that allows you to bring all of your own food and purchase their wines or other beverages on site. The landscape is just amazing! To me this is the only way to enjoy Fall in old New England and I am all too happy to share it.

~Photo by Liepa Gust~

~View from the Vineyard~