Thanks Christopher Columbus

A long, long time ago this Italian guy Christopher Columbus was paid by Spain to go look for land and the riches that come with it. The land Chris found was in the general area of where America is today, which was good enough for some serious and continued recognition in street names, statues, circles and- most importantly- a holiday that nets me a day off from school. And what did I learn from this year's day away from the education grind? Well, without Columbus' discovery of "America" I would not get to go to zoos with my family or play mini-golf and skee ball with my dad. Thanks Mr. Columbus!

Pumpkin And Money Farm

Occasionally, Dad and his friend Michael make plans for me and Michael's son Alister to get together. Last month we went to Haunted Trails for some go-karting and mini-golf and- in anticipation of Halloween- this month we went to Bengstons Pumpkin Farm.

Bengstons is kind of a hike from Chicago and there's not a whole lot around it, so Dad thought we might be one of the few there. That was until we reached the top of a small hill and saw a sea of automobiles. Casey, Dad and I were one of thousands, who all paid a healthy admission fee, plus the cost of whatever pumpkins you carried out.

Once inside, we eventually met up with Michael, Alister and his sister Audrey and then all explored the well organized and clean "farm." I loved the Haunted Barn, and the rides with Ali and Audrey were fun too. Dad enjoyed some kettle corn and loved the people watching, when he wasn't keeping an eye on me.

I said I wanted to come back as soon as we left and, little did I know at the time, I would be returning a couple weeks later on a field trip.