Life In Colorado: Finally October!!

Atchison, KS

I can't believe that October 2009 is already here. October is my favorite month and I wait patiently through the blizzards and sweltering heat every year for it to come. October is a great time of the year when football is in full swing and the leaves are changing everywhere you look. Fall has finally arrived and we can say our goodbye to the hot summers. The pumpkin patches are resurfacing and this time of year was always when my parents took us pumpkin picking and apple picking in Westin, MO. But October doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. For some people October is all about preparing for Halloween. It's about finding the perfect outfit and getting dressed up for Trick-or-Treating. Halloween happens to have the best decorations of any holiday but I am sure my mom will disagree when the snowman decorations start re-appearing in stores.

For people in Denver October isn't just another month. In fact it's not even called October anymore. It's been called Rocktober ever since the Rockies went to the World Series two years ago and they are quickly on their way to repeating it again this year. Everyone in the Denver area is feeling the Rocktober spirit and John has already worn his Rocktober shirt every day so far.

October is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness month and Kansas City residents are in for a real treat for the next two weeks. Eleven of the Kansas City fountains from Lee Summit to Lenexa to Overland Park will be pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a tradition that has gone on for the last five years in KC and it's pretty amazing to see all of KC's famous fountains turning pink for a great cause. Don't forget to support Breast Cancer Awareness while you are out and about town.

The JC Nichols Fountain on the Country Club Plaza

But the reason I love October so much is because of the Maple Leaf Festival that Baldwin City host every year. The town of Baldwin City originally has around 3,000 residents in their city limits but during Maple Leaf weekend that number increases to 30,000. The Maple Leaf Festival has been going on since 1958 and it is always the third weekend in October. There are thousands of craft booths to stroll through and I dare you not to find something that you love. This is such a fun weekend to get outside and see Baldwin (and Baker) at it's most beautifuliest (not sure if that's a real word) surrounded by maple trees. The Baker football team will also have a game that night at 6:00pm and cheering on the Cats as they take the field is a great way to unwind from a long day of shopping.