Just a Plain Farm in Carp Lake, Michigan

EDIT - I just received an email (10-14-11) that says Just a Plain Farm is no longer in business. If you happen to be up in the Northern Lower Peninsula taking in the breathtaking display of color you should stop in at Just A Plain Farm in Carp Lake. Just off of U.S. 31 take Gill Road at Carp Lake (there is a yellow blinking light and a general store on the corner) west about 1.5 miles. The big barn is on the right and you can't miss it.

Owners Gordon and Judy Tuthill have a lot to offer each fall from September 1 through October 31. They offer pumpkin picking hayrides, a corn maze, and a farm store filled with cider and other assorted goodies. Their u-pick options include popcorn, gourds, pumpkins, and squash.

We stopped in on a frosty morning (it had been down in the 20's the previous night) last Friday and spent over an hour there. Our son had a grand time hiking out to the gourds (even though he was repeatedly tripped up by the vines) and thoroughly inspecting the barn.

From there we went west on Gill Road another mile or so and picked up County Road 81 south to just north of Petoskey where we picked up U.S. 31. I know I mentioned this before (I think it was yesterday), but that was probably one of the prettiest fall drives in recent memory. The sun was shining and the air was so crisp and clear that the reds, yellows, and oranges were so vibrant that pictures would not have done it justice.

If you go:

Monday through Saturday - 10 am to 6 pm Sunday - 10 am to 6 pm

Visit Just A Plain Farm on the web here - www.justaplainfarm.com.