Papas Pumpkin Patch

Is Outdoor Furniture in Your Future?

2010-04-24T09:11:00.007-05:00

Spring calls all of us outdoors, and nothing is better than a beautiful, calm evening in the presence of Mother Nature. If you find yourself pondering a new look or additions to your outdoor environment, maybe Papa's timber furniture is worth a look.

You might remember it under the porch of the big red barn last fall at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Many a guest "sat a spell" while the family romped through the pumpkins or bounded on the bale mazes. We also placed some pieces out in the yard for families to catch up with friends in the peaceful country setting.

Whatever your need, rest assured the various pieces are built to endure North Dakota seasons and heavy use. Ours still look great after several thousand "sittings."

If you're interested in learning more, post a comment for Cory (our resident builder) or send a direct message to him on this page.

Enjoy the Spring,

Papa

Join Papa's in Cooking Up New Ideas for 2010

2010-02-27T10:59:00.007-06:00

Papa's Pumpkin Patch has been closed four months now, and Papa's Polar Patch ended its third successful season two weeks ago on President's Day. Technically, we'd be in the "off season" for both attractions, except this is when the ideas really start to cook. This year, we invite you into the kitchen to "cook" up new ideas for the future with us!

Through March 31, we're looking for your best ideas in 2 areas:

New attractions or activities that focus on families, education or fun at Papa's Pumpkin Patch; or
New services or additions that would improve your experience at Papa's Pumpkin Patch.

Post your idea(s) for new attractions or new services to the Papa's Facebook fan page. At the end of the month, we'll review all of the suggestions and choose those we see with the greatest potential for success given our current operations. (We might contact you to better understand your idea.) Then, we'll post our favorites and ask fans of Papa's to comment on the final list of ideas. Now here's the good part:

If we include your idea in the 2010 Papa's Pumpkin Patch season, you receive a FREE season pass to the pumpkin patch and the polar patch!

So start cookin' up your ideas. Post them to the Papa's fan page, and we'll comment along the way so you have a sense for the values we use when we cook up ideas for the future.

Bon Appetit!

Papa

Happy Holidays from Papa!

2009-12-14T19:23:00.002-06:00

Hello! During this holiday season, the family at Papa's Pumpkin Patch is truly grateful for the friends we've made over the years. Please click on the link to our Holiday Message to you.

We look forward to seeing you at Papa's Polar Patch. We open Saturday, Dec. 26, at noon!

My best to you,

Papa

3 Weeks and Counting...

2009-12-05T16:41:00.006-06:00

Three weeks from today, Papa's Polar Patch plans to open for its third season on Dec. 26. I say "plans" because, of course, it's North Dakota and everything is subject to weather. As a matter of fact, you might want to keep your eye on Papa's web site (www.papaspolarpatch.com) -- if the weather is in our favor, we might even do a sneak preview and open early!

What can you expect in 2009? Well, fun for families for sure! It's what we do best at Papa's and this year will be no different. The tarps for the ice skating rink arrived yesterday, so we plan to start filling it this week. The Snow Caves are under construction. Until this past week, we were calling them Hay Caves - it seemed more appropriate without snow. We'll have horse-drawn sleigh rides and Mrs. P has made up some really warm-looking blankets to snuggle under for the ride.

Yes, there will be bale mazes and slides and the gi-normous snowmen (and women), and uh huh, we're planning "fast and furious" or "extended play" routes for you thrill seekers on the old-fashioned sled rides!

Three weeks and counting. Don't know about you, but I'm getting excited.

See you soon,

Papa

It's nearly 60 degrees on Nov. 21

2009-11-21T16:15:00.007-06:00

It's November 21st. I'm sitting on my porch looking over a lawn that is more green than brown. There are still birds singing, and I left the door to the house open because it's nearly 60 degrees. In November! In North Dakota!

Now I grew up in North Dakota and I know as well as the next guy that 60 degrees today can easily be followed by a blizzard this week. We plan to open Papa's Polar Patch five weeks from today. We're not worried about how to host a polar patch without snow, but we have had conversations about how fast sleds will move over grass and stubble compared to a couple of feet of the white stuff

Talk about ironies. We wore snow boots and insulated pants one weekend during Papa's Pumpkin Patch in October, and with the way things look today, we won't need a warming house -- we'll need t-shirts and cold beverages for Papa's Polar Patch next month.

When it starts getting dark at 5 pm, my body says the air is supposed to be crisp and clear, and I should see my breath when I'm outside. Hot chocolate should sound way better than iced tea, and getting ready to go out should be a five-minute process involving several layers, instead of opening the door and well, going out.

Yep, I'm confused. It's November 21st at 4:31 pm. The sun is setting and we're about to go out for a walk without a coat, hat or gloves. Well, all right then.

See you soon,

Papa

Nothing Is Ever Lost When It's Given Away

2009-10-27T19:16:00.008-05:00

A wise friend and faithful Papa's volunteer said something simple and profound to me this week. "Nothing is ever lost when it's given away."

We were talking about the end of the pumpkin season and the few hundred pumpkins still sitting at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. He'd stopped by to pick up a few more pumpkins for his grandkids to carve this weekend when they were over for a visit.

By the time he was ready to leave, we'd loaded his truck with squash, gourds AND pumpkins. You see, he was going to have a few more pumpkins for his grandkids, as well as harvest displays for his community, and pumpkins for the nursing home, school and maybe even a few neighbors.

We'd talked it through and it was important to me that Papa's say "thanks" for the countless hours he and his wife had given during the pumpkin season. It was meaningful to him that he be able to share "his harvest" with those most special -- his family and his community (he lives in a small town outside Bismarck).

Getting ready to leave, he made his simple, yet profound statement: "Nothing is ever lost when it's given away." I'd been down on myself about mis-calculating the number of pumpkins we needed this year. My friend reminded me the number of pumpkins was accurate; I'd just mis-calculated the way in which they'd be used.

Thank you for another wonderful season at Papa's Pumpkin Patch! If you were unable to get your annual visit in due to the weather, or if you know someone special you'd like to gift with a pumpkin from Papa's, stop by this Thursday or Friday, Oct. 29-30, from 4-6 pm, or on Halloween from 10 am- 2 pm. And remember: nothing is ever lost when it's given away.

See you soon,

Papa

Rain, rain go away...

2009-10-15T19:09:00.003-05:00

It's been a strange fall. September weather was more like July, and October seems more like November. Personally, I'd go for a few weeks of fall before we jump into preparations for Papa's Polar Patch!

On behalf of the patch family, I'd like to say thank you for your patience with the weather and with us these past two weeks. Part of the beauty of living in the country is gravel roads for driveways and mowed hay fields for parking lots. The balance to that is when it rains, it gets sloppy.

We know we disappoint your little people when their excitement builds on the drive to Papa's Pumpkin Patch, only to have a "Sorry We're Closed" sign at the end of the driveway. If we hadn't pulled so many once-clean vehicles out of knee-deep ruts over the years, we'd gladly welcome you in our rain slickers.

Time has taught us to think better of this and so we ask for your patience. The weekend forecast sounds like two, back-to-back beautiful fall days, and if the clouds hold back tomorrow, we should all be ready to celebrate the season.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Papa

We've Got Us a Fan Club!

2009-10-05T19:27:00.005-05:00

Papa's Pumpkin Patch and Papa's Polar Patch are just like every other attraction, festival or event -- word of mouth is the best advertising. In 2009, July 30 to be exact, Papa's entered social media with a fan page on Facebook, and word of mouth has truly become world of mouth.

As of Oct. 5, we have 1,444 fans from the U.S., Canada, South Korea, Australia and Palestine. The top cities represented on the site include Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, Hazen, Dickinson Sioux Falls, Beulah, Steele, Omaha, Minneapolis and Carrington. Holy Cow! I'd say we've got us a fan club!

What's most exciting about the fan page is the opportunity our old and new friends have to tell us what they like, comment on their visit, provide feedback and suggestions, post their favorite photos and ask us questions. And we have an opportunity to respond to all of these posts in a public format so anyone who's interested can learn more.

Like the request from one fan for more benches and seating areas so she can "sit s spell" while her grandchildren plan. Consider it done. Or the suggestion we offer season passes. That idea was first offered to us in 2008 and is now reality.

It's crazy. I never dreamed Papa's Pumpkin Patch or Papa's Polar Patch would have a fan club. Now that we do, I'm hoping fans will pass along the link and invite others to join. It gives us a way to stay connected throughout the year and listen to you in a high-tech way.

See you soon,

Papa

Home Sweet Home

2009-09-26T23:00:00.004-05:00

For first-time visitors and many returning guests, it comes as a surprise to know that a family actually lives at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. It's true. Papa's covers over 40 acres along the Missouri River and while it is privately owned, our family thoroughly enjoys sharing it publicly with thousands of visitors each year.

We've long believed Papa's Pumpkin Patch and now Papa's Polar Patch are ways we can give back to the area which has given us so much. Who wouldn't want to be at a place where people are excited before, during and after their visit?

When children come to Papa's for a field trip, you can just feel the energy building as they wait for their train ride. Sometimes kids hardly get inside the gate before they take off at a dead run for the bale mazes. And I can't even count the number of parents who thank us for tiring their children out and granting them a "snooze cruise" on their way home.

Home Sweet Home. Whether it's a little pumpkin house or an entire pumpkin patch, we're happy to share it with you.

See you soon,

Papa

Come Visit Us!

2009-09-14T16:35:00.004-05:00

Yesterday - Sunday, Sept. 13 - was opening day for the 2009 season at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. It was an amazing journey filled with the help of many friends and families. In less than 5 months, we re-built our main storage structure, planted (and are harvesting) a pumpkin crop, added a corn maze, sewed nearly 150 decorative flags and banners, acquired a LOT of new stuff, and got about the business of welcoming our guests to Papa's.

We are especially grateful to the Patching the Patch team, the U Mary Emerging Leaders program, Rebuilding Together, Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals, school children and parents, along with so many individuals who made our re-building after the April 29 fire possible.

It was a beautiful day...gorgeous sunshine, mellow breezes, virtually no bugs. It was the beginning of fall at its finest. Our season runs from Sept. 13 - Oct. 24. We're open 12-7 pm daily, and I hope I get to welcome most of you personally when you visit us.

See you soon,

Papa

A New Way to Serve

2009-08-27T20:49:00.010-05:00

The young family came to The Banquet just when we were ready to clear tables. Young as in early 20s with three children under the age of three. While we hurried to set places for them and grabbed booster seats and high chairs, the father looked me in the eyes and asked me something I won't soon forget: "Would you please pray for us before we have our meal?"

Wow. This is the third year Papa's Pumpkin Patch -- along with 30+ friends -- served meals to nearly 350 individuals from the Bismarck-Mandan area who might not otherwise have supper or who just don't want to eat alone. Trinity Lutheran Church hosts The Banquet every Thursday and a wonderful variety of civic-minded groups sign up to serve others.

We plan the menu, organize the volunteers, prepare the food, set the tables, greet and escort guests to their places and serve them what we hope will be an enjoyable meal. Because there are far more guests than tables, as full bellies leave, we clear tables and re-set them for new guests.

Just like we re-set the table tonight for the young family who joined us when we were preparing to wrap things up. I'd been "serving" people their meals for well over an hour when the humble dad asked me, "Would you pray for us before we have our meal?"

"Sure." And I learned about "serving" in a new way at The Banquet.

See you soon,

Papa

The Flowers Are Coming!

2009-07-28T21:07:00.006-05:00

Summer is great and one (more) reason is because of the flowers. Sure the flowers in the yard are wonderful, but even better are the flowers on the pumpkins! (Check out the new flower in the center of this plant.) In the last week we've gone from three blossoms on neighboring plants in the eastern most row, to dozens across the entire patch.

Our neons are clearly ahead of the baby bears. We added fertilizer two weeks ago -- perfectly timed (of course we planned it this way) before nearly an inch of gentle rain. The plants have gone from a pale green to nearly a forest green. Then last week, we added nearly four inches of rich, well-aged mulch.

What I'm really trying to say is we added wonderfully stinky manure to the rows between the pumpkins. I think their roots must be reaching down and grabbing some of the new-found "nutrients" because their growth truly is impressive.

Impressive enough to make this Papa proud of his "pick yer own patch."

Let's talk again soon,

Papa

New for 2009: Pick 'Yer Own Punkin Patch

2009-06-27T16:01:00.007-05:00

Not since the first few years of Papa's Pumpkin Patch have visitors been able to "pick 'yer own punkin." I guess we always thought people like it better when they come to Papa's and are greeted by a sea of orange in the yards around the log house. As I think about it now, maybe WE like it better when there is a sea of orange to greet our guests.

At any rate, we planted about two acres of Baby Bears and Neons -- mid-sized pumpkins that are the perfect size for little hands to carry. We figure that's room for about 500 plants to produce or the potential for about 2,000+ pumpkins for folks to pick. Potential is the key word.

You see, we planted four seeds per hole...on purpose. One seed is for Mother Nature. One seed is for the turkeys. One seed is for the deer, and one seed is for Papa's. There's a LOT of wildlife in the Missouri River bottoms, and it's foolish for us to think we get to keep the whole crop to ourselves.

Pumpkins are popping

up all over the patch, and so far, it's a good-looking crop. Mother Nature has taken her share, and the turkeys haven't seemed real interested. That leaves us to negotiate with the deer. Currently they are more interested in the oats we planted as a cover crop near where the Special Olympics Trebuchet shoots its ammunition each season.

Keep checking back, and you'll be the first to see Papa's Pick 'Yer Own Punkin Patch for 2009!

Papa

We really liked our mostly used stuff

2009-05-01T07:13:00.008-05:00

This has been a difficult week. We were awakened Wednesday morning (April 29) about 4 am and found a fire building in the main structure of Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Within a few short hours, the large brown shop at the main entrance to the Patch -- we called it the quonset -- along with the two-story deck on its west side were smoldering rubble.

The good news is that our family, our animals and our homes are safe. The good news is that no one was hurt. The good news is that we remain committed to opening Papa's Pumpkin Patch on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009.

Perhaps our greatest challenge is the smallest of things: one of the horses crawled through the fence yesterday, and we have no tools to repair it. They were lost in the fire. Several straw bales that framed and insulated the deck are still smoldering and we had no equipment to manage it well. (We are most grateful to Bobcat for letting us use one of their track loaders to assist in this critical effort.)

Of course we can get these things, it's just the transition we need to make from running to the quonset to grab the fence stretcher, post pounder and fence pliers, to the recognition we need to running to town and buying these things. And you know what? We really liked our "mostly used" stuff.

I'll keep you updated on how we plan to rebuild,

Papa

Up to Your Plow in Water

2009-03-28T16:51:00.005-05:00

Record snow fall in North Dakota created a unique set of circumstances this spring. Earlier this week, our entire state was under a flood watch. Here in Bismarck, we were also under a blizzard warning. The worst appears behind us however, Mr. Antique is up to his three-bottom plow in water.

Mr. Antique -- as we call him at Papa's Pumpkin Patch -- sits right inside the entrance and in a lower spot of the front yard. I say lower because when you live in a flood plain, low is a relative term.

Most years, Mr. Antique sits in his lower spot untouched by the waters of the spring thaw. After the 50-degree temps last weekend, followed by eight inches of snow, he looks better prepared to plow his way through way through the ice than a field.

Not to worry. Even though Mr. Antique is up to his plow in water and ice, the rest of Papa's is doing well and looking forward to spring!

Check back with you later,

Papa

When Everyone's Happy -- Even the Cattle

2009-03-07T16:06:00.004-06:00

When a 500-pound bale sits in one spot long enough, it actually kills everything underneath it. So moving the Bale Maze, along with the numerous other bales placed here and there at Papa's is serious business. Fortunately, we've landed on another win-win relationship that puts the bales to use and saves the yards at Papa's Pumpkin Patch.

At its core, a bale of straw is roughage, and animals need roughage to get through the winter. Within a two-mile radius of Papa's there are two rather large feedlots in need of roughage over which they can pour calorically intense mixtures of liquid feed that sustain the cattle during harsh weather.

It strikes me a lot like dressing on my salad. Lettuce by itself is pretty uneventful -- even if it's good for me. But add a squirt of ranch dressing, and now we're talking! It's the same for the cattle. Straw is not the menu of choice for most animals, but add a good doze of "dressing" and everyone's happy.

That's what we like at Papa's -- when everyone's happy, even the cattle.

Talk to you soon,

Papa

Fun with car hoods?

2009-01-27T18:01:00.005-06:00

It began years ago when the roads were blocked because of the heavy snow. The best way to get feed to the animals was hauling it on upside down hoods pulled behind snowmobiles. That's where we first learned how fun a ride on a car hood could be.

I suppose that's why the old-fashioned sled rides at Papa's Polar Patch are such a hit. Parents and grandparents "remember when..." and today's kids can't believe their elders actually want them to engage in risk-taking behavior!

"Dad, can I go for a ride on one of those things?"

"Sure, I used to do that all the time when I was a kid!"

And on the side to one of the drivers fathers frequently say, "there's a tip in it for you if you dump 'em!"

It's so simple: old car hoods with just the right curves from Johnson's Wrecking. Some carpet padding and carpet. Heavy-duty, leftover baling twine woven together for the tow ropes of varying lengths, depending on which vehicle is being used. Finally a moving blanket to sit on and cover up with...just in case the drivers get a little wild.

Add some great trails plowed to the correct width, a few easy banks and gentle slopes -- we're ready for riders!

Who said you can't have fun with car hoods?

See you over President's Day weekend!

Papa

Leftovers at Papa's

2009-01-03T19:51:00.004-06:00

Lots of guests at Papa's Pumpkin Patch ask us what we do with the leftover pumpkins. Truth is, the last few years we've had less than a wagon load of leftovers. It's hard to believe. In 2008, we had well over 10,000 pumpkins in the yard. Add to that, a few thousand squash and an equal number of decorate gourds.

So what DOES HAPPEN with any leftovers? One of three things:

1. First we make sure that Mrs. P has her perfect pumpkin picked out for Thanksgiving. She likes to have about a 10-pound pumpkin to hollow out, fill with pumpkin and raisins and spices, and then bake for a special thanksgiving treat.
2. We offer the extra squash to the local food pantries.
3. We haul any remaining leftovers out to the field for the deer, turkey and other wild life.

On extra snowy winters like the one we're having this year, a few of the leftovers may still be available for "fine dining" for our furry friends well into the spring. They will freeze beneath the snow and be waiting until warmer days and sunshine to make their appearance in the field.

That's one of the beauties of perishable products like pumpkins, squash and gourds. Whatever doesn't make it home with our guests will find a home somewhere, even if that home is our field just east of Papa's.

Happy New Year! Talk to you soon,

Papa

The Circle of Life

2008-12-11T16:34:00.007-06:00

We lost a dear friend this week. Al Dauenhauer -- most of us called him Grandpa Al -- completed his circle of life and now has the pick of the pasture as he chooses teams to pull his hay rides up in heaven.

I hardly remember when Al started offering horse-drawn hayrides during Papa's Pumpkin Patch. It just seemed natural to invite him to join our weekend festivities. He brought such a gentle, friendly spirit to Papa's and loved sharing his passion for horses and the outdoors with everyone who climbed on board his hay ride.

Al and his wife, Elaine, live just north of Papa's, and he'd often come over during the weeks before we opened to help unload pumpkins or put up tents or fix wagons. The work didn't matter to him, helping out did.

Al leaves a long legacy with his children and grandchildren. In fact, it is his son, Alden, and grandson, Chase, who will carry on his legacy at Papa's when they return for Papa's Polar Patch to provide horse-drawn sleigh rides.

The circle of life can be hard and it often leaves a gap. In Grandpa Al's case, we miss him deeply but we trust his spirit and family legacy will continue with Papa's.

Talk to you soon,

Papa

The List That Gets Done

2008-11-22T16:47:00.004-06:00

People often ask how long it takes us to get ready for Papa's Pumpkin Patch. The standard answer is two months, and we go non-stop from Labor Day until we open in mid-September. But there's one key reason why we accomplish so much in relatively little time: the list.

The list takes several forms. There's Mrs. P's list. She keeps her list on 3" x 3" yellow sticky notes. Mine goes in my front shirt pocket. Then there's the list on the white board in the shop. That list can gather up to 20-30 items that show no discrimination. Everything from "load of corn stalks" to "re-stock displays" to " check spiffy biffs" makes the shop list. And everything on the list gets done.

It's one of the wonderful attributes of the people behind Papa's. Most every task is viewed as a social activity where you see the results of your contribution almost immediately. Some items on the list require brains, some require brawn. Most are self explanatory so anyone who stops in for a couple of hours or plans to spend the day can figure out how they will add value in short order.

That's the beauty of Papa's list. It gets done.

Until next time,

Papa

The Off Season

2008-10-31T16:46:00.002-05:00

While it's been in the 60s and 70s this week -- more like an "Indian Summer" than fall -- we know the transition to winter is around the corner. And that is good.

Winter is a time of rest, and that's what we will do at Papa's Pumpkin Patch as well as with my blog.

I'll commit to keeping in touch with you every couple of weeks. My plan is to continue with fun stories from Papa's , especially ones that involve some of the great people who make the magic of Papa's possible.

See you in a couple of weeks!

Papa

On the Last Day They Played

2008-10-25T09:49:00.002-05:00

Today, Oct. 25, is the last day of the 2008 season for Papa's Pumpkin Patch. I was out for my morning walk and it is going to be a beautiful fall day. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and so far, the breeze is gentle.

When we decided to extend the season another week (last Sunday), we had 8 large pumpkins left. Six days later they are long gone. We may be short on pumpkins, but Papa's is still long on fun.

Most families who visited this week were looking for "one last chance" to let the kids run wild before fall transitions to winter. The nature trail, Slide Mountain and the Bale Maze were hubs of activity.

Today, we expect our friends -- new and old -- will play. There are still some small pumpkins, decorative gourds and corn, along with squash, to enjoy, but we know most folks will play. They will celebrate the season of fall.

In North Dakota we love our seasons, and we know when the mornings move from warm to cool, to "grab your jacket and gloves" cool, winter is on its way. Today, we have one more day to delight in the warmth of the sun and the crunch of the leaves under our feet. Today, we will play hard at Papa's because it is the last day of the season, and it is a day to play outside!

Hope to see you!

Papa

These Jack-o-Lanterns Carried a Very Special Message

2008-10-17T11:50:00.004-05:00

This past week marks the first time a wedding proposal has taken place at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. It was pretty cool.

The evening was on the chilly side as the sun was behind the big cottonwoods and the breeze was picking up. The young man and woman walked into the patch just before 7 pm, clearly dressed for a nice dinner out and not for picking pumpkins. Nonetheless, our groom-to-be had a plan and so far, it was working beautifully.

He and his girlfriend were celebrating their second anniversary together and Papa's held a special place for them. They wondered around a bit and made their way to the upper deck with a lovely view of the patch, along with some strategically placed jack-o-lanterns.

The young man guided his bride-to-be over to the far side of the deck to get a clear view of the Infamous Bale Maze. When the couple turned around the jack-o-lanterns gave the first hint of surprise. Each pumpkin held a piece of the message:

Will

MINE?

The groom-to-be took a tiny pumpkin out of his pocket, got down on one knee, presented the pumpkin to his girlfriend and asked, "Will you marry me?" Around the stem of the tiny pumpkin was a lovely engagement ring. She said YES!

The pumpkin patch gang clapped for them when they left shortly thereafter. They were nestled close together as young couples in love should be, and they had their arms full of jack-o-lanterns that carried a very special message.

She Loves to Dance

2008-10-14T07:50:00.002-05:00

We have a lot of gourds at Papa's Pumpkin Patch, and this year, we had a wheelbarrow full of dried birdhouse gourds from last season. The birdhouses are up to a foot long and a bit like a genie bottle with a wider top, a narrow neck and a full, round bottom. After a year of drying and sitting, these over-sized rattles are ugly, too. A good sanding and a coat of paint are definitely in order.

Several days ago a young city girl walked up to the wheelbarrow. She was about 10 or 11 and I know she was a city girl because she came to Papa's in pink shorts and flip flops. At first she was afraid to touch the ugly rattles, holding her hands together on her chest like the gourds might jump up and bite her.

Within a couple of minutes, she'd found her courage and picked one up. In so doing, she heard the rattle of the seeds (now dried) inside. Say no more. The sales area of Papa's Pumpkin Patch became her stage and she was ready to dance.

Our young diva put a new-found instrument in each hand, stepped to one side in a sort of sumo squat position, raised the gourds over her head and did a "shake-a, shake-a, shake-a" to the right. Then she repeated the dance move to her left. She spun around in her flip flops, whipped her blond hair over her shoulders, and performed everything once again.

She finished, set the birdhouse gourds back in the wheelbarrow and returned to the pumpkin patch for more fun.

We could hardly contain our laughter. And we decided she loves to dance.

See you soon,

Papa

Fall Is Here

2008-10-10T20:49:00.003-05:00

There's no doubt, fall is here. When I walk out to get the newspaper in the morning, I need a jacket. The air is crisp, clean and cool. It even smells like fall. Like leaves and branches and a bit of dust...earthy.

The horses' coats are getting thick and fuzzy. They are mostly interested in one thing now -- eating. They are especially pleased when we bring them the decorative corn and field corn that "doesn't make the grade" for Papa's Pumpkin Patch.

Another sign of fall is when Mrs. P doesn't think her yard will ever be the same. It's true; after thousands of people walk across it and Poppy's Express circles over it and wagon after wagon is wheeled around it, the grass does look more like a race track than the lush green lawn it was at the beginning of the season.

All of this OK. We love the seasons at Papa's and we love to celebrate them.

See you soon,

Papa

Quality Assurance

2008-10-05T09:30:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning I was making the rounds. A swing around the trail we use for Marv's Monster Wagon Ride; a pass by the target area for the Special Olympics Trebuchet; a walk through the parking lot; and then a stroll around the Infamous Bale Maze and Slide Mountain. I paused.

The slides are fast this year. I'm not sure why they are faster than years past -- maybe enough "bumpers" have them polished to a new level. At any rate, we put a large straw bale in front of one this past week to hold loose straw and the landing area in place. We built a straw "pillow" at the base of the second so when you come flying off the end you have a softer landing.

After a thorough examination, it was time for the final step in quality assurance: practice runs. I climbed up to the top of the first slide, plopped myself down in the chute and shot down like a bullet. Thank goodness the bale was at the end to get me stopped!

Invigorated and a bit out of breath, I climbed to the top of the second slide (the one with the pillow at the end). I scooted my way to the edge and gravity did the rest. The next thing I knew I was skidding over the top of the straw pillow and came to a halt about a foot past it. I had enough loose straw up my pant legs for a table top manger scene.

Now some people might say this is child's play but, well, they're right. And that's one of the reasons all of us at Papa's take time for quality assurance.

See you soon,

Papa

Who Gave Who the Deal?

2008-10-03T16:09:00.007-05:00

Tuesday night I was helping guests "check out." A gentleman and his wife walked up with a full wagon -- pumpkins of various sizes, gourds, decorative corn and squash. We began visiting as I totaled up their purchases.

The toal was $56, which I told them, and then said, "Let's take $3 off and call it good at $53."

The gentleman took three, $20 bills out of his wallet, handed them to me and said, "Keep the change, and thanks for the good things you do for our community."

"Thank you" didn't seem like enough. I'd intended to be the one offering the 'little extra' with a discount. In turn, this man offered Papa's Pumpkin Patch the 'extra' both with his $7 donation and his kind words.

Time and again these are the "happy accidents" that happen at Papa's. We are so grateful for the family-friendly environment our supporters and friends help us create. Most of all we are grateful to everyone who gives us a deal -- a great deal more than we can repay.

See you soon,

Papa

One Big Party

2008-09-29T17:33:00.004-05:00

We live at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. That's right. When you come to Papa's, you're really coming in our driveway, parking in our field and playing in our yard. Welcome to the party!

For a long time we've believed that to those whom much is given, much is expected in return. Our family is truly blessed and so the celebrations of the seasons -- Papa's Pumpkin Patch and Papa's Polar Patch -- are a way for us to give back.

What greater joy is there than to stand by quietly and watch three generations of family play together? Or have two fathers buy pumpkin cookies and water as "intermission" while they gear up for another round of tag with their children on the bale maze?

Yesterday, Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck welcome their families to Papa's. They had live music, provided a great meal and entertained hundreds at the Patch.

Two separate bus loads of guests joined us from Minot, just over 100 miles away. They came as families to celebrate the season and enjoy one another's company.

In all, more than 7,500 people played at Papa's this past weekend. That's one BIG party!

See you soon,

Papa

The Tunnel to Papa's

2008-09-25T21:06:00.004-05:00

It struck me yesterday as I drove down Sandy River Drive on my way back to Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Sandy River is the amazing road that looks like a mile-long covered bridge with the cover being a tunnel of tree branches that arch over the roadway and make for a glorious canopy of color this time of year.

The tunnel is green and brilliant shades of yellow and orange, and even hints of red. The drive calms and energizes the spirit at the same time.

River Road is the bridge between city and country life. It runs adjacent to the Missouri River (one of the most beautiful drives in the city I believe) and then it ambles along the river bottoms for about three miles where it joins up with Highway 1804.

Near the mid-point, you head west from River Road on Sandy River Drive toward Papa's. That's where you find the tunnel. It is the jaunt west on Sandy River that tells you the "country" is near. You enjoy closely cropped wheat fields on either side, and frequently you see deer, turkey, pheasants or geese rummaging for grain the combines missed.

The tunnel is also that place where you transition for the busier pace of the city to the quieter, calmer pace of the country. The tunnel is where your breathing slows and becomes deeper. It's the place where your foot becomes lighter on the accelerator and you remember there's more to life than the next deadline.

The tunnel to Papa's is the tunnel to our slice of heaven on earth.

See you soon,

Papa

Children Come in All Sizes

2008-09-23T07:03:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it's obvious who the children are at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. They are small people with absolute delight written across their foreheads from the moment they enter the patch. They can hardly contain themselves, and there is an immediate rise in the atmosphere's energy level. Their feet are in motion and their voices are cranked up well before their brains engage. They leap and romp and skip and pounce just like children are supposed to do.

Other children are less obvious. We see both male and female versions at Papa's although size and facial expressions are not a tell-tale sign of these "children." At first they are almost always reserved; they stand back for awhile and assess the environment before they commit. They also monitor closely the responses of the other "children" in the area to see what kinds of behavior might be acceptable.

And some, not all, set their better judgment aside and proceed to do something they haven't done in perhaps years. These older-than-average children play.

It's true. In the 26 years Papa's Pumpkin Patch has been around, we've seen real-live adults skip through pumpkin paths. We've seen law-abiding citizens crawl on their hands and knees through tunnels in our Infamous Bale Maze. And we've seen perfectly normal parents shoot down Slide Mountain and shriek louder than the children before them as they plop on the ground at the end of the slide.

Being responsible pumpkin patch people, we conduct a thorough review before children of all sizes leave the patch. Invariably, the adults look to the children with them when we ask, "What did you like best at Papa's?"

The bright red faces with sweat-lined brows tell us about their favorite expeditions while at Papa's. And you know what? We can always tell the older-than-average children: they are the ones attempting to tidy themselves but can't seem to wipe the grin off their face.

See you soon at Papa's!

Papa

This One's a Grunt

2008-09-20T07:57:00.005-05:00

The cooler spring this year meant a slower harvest for pumpkins. We usually haul over 100,000 pounds of pumpkins into the yards for opening day of Papa's Pumpkin Patch. This year, we opened with about one half of the pumpkins we will have during this fall's season, and the first of the "grunts" arrived last night.

A grunt is generally a Howden -- a 25-45 pound, dark orange, deep green-handled pumpkin with a stem the size of most children's wrists. These are the pumpkins that when you go to pick them up, you place your feet wide and squat like a sumo wrestler.

We unloaded two car trailers full to the brim with Howdens. There will be more coming each week Papa's Pumpkin Patch is open so you can expect "fresh from the field" pumpkins most any day you visit Papa's.

It looks like it will be a beautiful weekend. I'll be sampling North Dakota grown watermelon and muskmelons this weekend. Be sure to stop by and try a slice!

See you soon,

Papa

Celebrate the Season

2008-09-17T21:38:00.002-05:00

Fall is here. When I walk out the driveway to pick up the newspaper in the morning, the air is crisp, clean and cool. When I looked across our 20-acre field this afternoon toward the cottonwood tree line about a quarter of a mile away, I could see hints of yellow and gold, along with the green leaves.

Still, the temps are in the 70s and 80s, and the days are sunny and bright. It truly is time to celebrate the season. Our guests at Papa's understand this. From the moment they enter the patch, they head off for picture-taking or bale hopping or a casual stroll in nature. Over the weekend, I ran into a woman who was resting quietly while her children played on the bale maze. She seemed deep in thought so when I walked by, I only smiled and said, "you look very comfortable." She replied that she was enjoying the warmth of the sun on her back and an opportunity to just sit and be still. Not two minutes later, I watched a father bounding after his son and daughter, who were screaming in delight. They were loud and wild and having a blast.

All of these folks were doing what we hope they will when they come to Papa's Pumpkin Patch; they were celebrating the season. For a short moment in time, they were "away" from they crazy worlds and playing or resting in ours. For a brief period, Papa's allows all of us to celebrate life amidst the season of fall.

See you soon,

Papa

They Wait in Line to Be First

2008-09-15T21:37:00.003-05:00

It's been several years and the same man and his boxer (dog) are the first to enter Papa's Pumpkin Patch on opening day. He arrives at the gate to our driveway, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends, around 11 am. Patient and full of energy, they can hardly contain themselves as they bound to the entrance at noon. "I've done this for years, and I'm not stopping now!" he says.

And so it is. With our 2008 season, Papa's begins another year of family traditions. From being the first to enter the "Patch" to taking family photos in the same spot in front of the pine log barn, the traditions are everywhere and make for wonderful stories.

There was the family from Williston (nearly 45 of them with friends) who came to Bismarck for the weekend and celebrated their 3-year-old's birthday at Papa's. Williston is a good five-hour drive from us.

There were the two motorcyclists from Montana who faced cold temps and rain on Saturday evening to enjoy their visit to Papa's on Sunday. They said the trip was worth it. The Montana border is about a three-hour drive from Papa's.

And the dozens of families from Dickinson and Minot and all places in between. These are people who travel to Papa's year after year, more than a 200-mile round trip, so they can celebrate the season with us.

We are truly grateful. The feedback is positive, and the smiles are priceless.

Come visit us soon!

Papa

Finishing Touches

2008-09-13T19:53:00.003-05:00

It's the day before we open for the 2008 season, and Papa's is like a bee hive!! Our 'to do' lists included things like finish the parking lot, stretch the rope bridge, secure the bales at the top of Slide Mountain, set up the train station for Poppy's Express, put out all of the photo boards and UNLOAD PUMPKINS!

We had two private parties -- one church group and a birthday party -- with us this evening. I guess you'd call it a 'soft opening.' These groups give us a chance to see what people think and determine what else we might add or do different.

Are you curious about a few of the new ideas you'll find at Papa's this year? Well, Papa'sville is bigger and better with five new, wooden play structures added. We have a great design for the Bale Maze and then, you'll also find a smaller, little people's version of the bale maze for the soon-to-be bale jumpers in the family. The Cub Scouts added some wonderful animals to the Nature Trail, and we've built a tunnel for Marv's Monster Wagon Rides.

OK. That's enough. You'll need to come and see the rest. Be sure to allow at least a couple of hours. The kids won't let you leave a minute sooner, and you'll want that much time to see everything, shoot dozens of pictures and pick out your perfect pumpkin.

See you soon,

Papa

The Pumpkins Are Here!

2008-09-12T09:26:00.004-05:00

My sister's birthday is Sept. 11. Each year, she asks for and receives the same thing for a birthday gift: pumpkins! This year, we were concerned because the cool spring and summer slowed pumpkin growth. Many of you probably have experienced this in your own gardens.

We weren't sure until early this week that we'd have pumpkins for Tracy's birthday. And we weren't sure we'd have pumpkins to unload for the area's Young Professionals. The YPs have come out to help us prepare the patch for the last four years. Like Tracy, they want to unload pumpkins.

Our first load of pumpkins arrived late Thursday afternoon. Along with it came spaghetti, buttercup, acorn and carnival squash, and wee-b-little and jack-b-little pumpkins. There are two new varieties of pumpkins and squash this year: white acorn squash that taste similar to a baked potato, and pick-a-pie pumpkins that are about the same size as a sugar pumpkin.

It's almost like Christmas when the trucks and produce start arriving!

The next two days will be load and after load after load of pumpkins as we prepare for opening day on Sunday.

We'll see you soon at Papa's!

Papa

Friends

2008-09-09T20:25:00.007-05:00

It's just amazing. Every September as we prepare for Papa's Pumpkin Patch, "friends" show up. Some friends are new; we've never met them before and they drive into the yard because they can't believe anyone would decorate like this...just because. Some friends we know and they stop out because their drive through the country brought them down River Road.

And some are closer friends - now family many of them - who show up each weekend prior to our opening on Sept. 14, and they work. And they work and they work. We all spend countless hours together as we ready ourselves and the Patch for thousands of guests.

We paint and we trim and we build and we design and we haul and we unload. Most of all, we love it. We eat together in the evenings and we laugh a lot during the daylight hours.

Friends are another reason why Papa's has grown and become the celebration it is today. We are eternally grateful for the support of the Bismarck-Manda n community, the state of North Dakota, and our friends.

See you soon,

Papa

From Legos to Play Structures

2008-09-05T21:08:00.006-05:00

My brother-in-law Cory grew up with Legos. As an adult, he now builds with wood. This year he's gone crazy with additions to Papa'sville -- our wooden play structures for children.

Imagine this. He calls it Papa's Express -- a five-car wooden train complete with engine (and bell to ring), coal car, livestock car (with ramps on each side), tanker and caboose. Little ones can start at the engine and make their way clear back to the caboose. Each car is about 8' long, 4' wide and 6-8' tall. We had several family gatherings this summer, and the kids giggle with delight when they see the train.

Then there's the silo playhouse. It's a two-story silo with pint-sized doors, windows and a slide out one side. Did I mention the bright red, dome-shaped top?

It seems each of us in the Papa's family finds ways to express our love of nature and the joy we have in celebrating the season. Cory builds with wood and he can't wait to see how families play in Papa'sville. Let us know what you think!

See you at the Patch,

Papa

Only 13 Days Until We Open!

2008-09-02T18:24:00.003-05:00

It's Sept. 1 and Papa's will welcome guests in just 13 days! Labor Day weekend marks the beginning of the decorating craze. Family and relatives stop by most every day until we open on Sept. 14 and help create the atmosphere that makes Papa's so special.

Our good friend Marv has been building new roof tops for a grand entrance to the Patch, as well as a new cover for Scarecrow Cove. Colleen and her sisters are putting a fresh coat of paint on everything, and Mom is busy scheduling all kinds of classes -- we have nearly 2,000 children who will visit Papa's on field trips. That number is only about half of the total who will come play at Papa's this fall. We are so grateful to the Bismarck-Mandan Retired Teachers Association for the volunteers they offer to assist with these weekday groups.

My nephew Ben-Luke has a vivid picture of changes we should make to Hobbit Hill. The additions involve more logs to climb across, and a suspended rope net that weebles and wobbles. Then there's the upside down rope bridge that you climb through rather than over. Creativity abounds this time of year!

See you soon,

Papa

The Bales Are Here!

2008-08-31T11:11:00.003-05:00

The bales are here! The current stack is over 800 straw bales -- the 500-pound variety -- and they are just waiting to be built into the 2008 Papa's Bale Maze! I'm anxious to get started.

We began hauling the bales last weekend from neighboring wheat fields; the balance of the straw is coming from 2,000 acres close to Wilton, ND. I expect to use nearly 1,000 beautiful golden bales to create this year's pumpkin patch.

Guests at Papa's will find a bigger and better Bale Maze, Slide Mountain, a Straw Pit, Bale Buddies, Bales-n-Rails fencing and many more creative ways that we build with bales. Re-use and recycle are a common theme and we are always looking for new uses for older things.

I might just have to go out and get started today!

See you soon,

Papa

Almost the Season

2008-08-07T08:59:00.002-05:00

It's been a challenging summer - like most.

Starting out cool and "almost wet" for a North Dakota Spring..... It was well into June before many of the crops felt "ready, set, go" for the summer.

Bottom line, I think most garden crops are two to three weks behind.

I'm hoping (not) too many of our Pumpkins will be in that shape. They are s l o w.

We're beginning preparations and decoration. Many new plans and changes for 2008. Past guests will be pleased - new guests will be delighted!

Plan on prices being higher. Cost of fuel has had an impact.

We continue our commitment to "favorite charities." Be sure to ask about the "Buddy Bucket" and add your "favorite" to our list. (Last year the contribution was $26,000)

If you or a group you know want to be involved in the "PRODUCTION" of PaPa's Pumpkin Patch 2008-- call, write or email us and we'll work on a "Win - Win" Partnership. They're the BEST!

Papa Dave @ 1-888-310-8900, or papaspumpkins@aol.com, or www.papaspumpkinpatch.com

2008-05-10T11:17:00.004-05:00

Time to seed- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

We're finally getting a litle moisture. Ever so necessary in these parts. We turned some ground a week ago and up came nothing but dry earth and dust!

We normally plant our Pumpkin seeds on Mother's Day. So the time is here!
Happy Mother's Day.

Even after planting, in North Dakota a late frost can come the first week of June so we must watch and pay attention nightly. We may have to cover young plants to protect them. Soil temperatures are +/- 68 degrees - enough for germination in 7-10 days depending on seed.

If you're starting plants inside (excellent idea) pay most attention to soil borne diseases like pythium (damping off). If you notice as many os one plant looking droopy - any "brown / grey" color on new green stems, get out the fungicide. If you don't like chemicals, be sure to cover newly seeded pots or trays with a sphagum moss (available at most nurserys or hardware stores). This is the best natural predator to pythium. (As long as you have good ventilation and stable temperatures (67-68 degrees) I think you won't have this problem.

In a couple weeks, we'll chat more about "hardening off" young seedlings and getting ready for the "move outside." (call if you have questions: 701-222-1521, even if you have to leave a message. I'll return the call.

PaPa.

Straw

2008-04-30T06:04:00.003-05:00

We ave PLENTY.

I can't begin to summarize all the possibilities for "spring" uses of straw.....there are many. It's good for the soil, good as a top mulch (to hold moisture and weeds under)....

If you're starting grass seed- straw is the best top mulch to hold the seed and the moisture for the two weeks necessary for starters.

At any rate I have straw by the bale,

by the bag,

by the bin,

by the truck load. Finley ground, course ground, long stem- you choose.

Happy to help you.

What's a good "win-win" for you?

Happy Blogging!

2008-04-29T10:15:00.002-05:00

We're happy to have a blog posting.
We hope to trade great stories and news.