As 2011 comes to an end Ray and I would like to thank all of our customers.  It has been quite a year and we want to extend our gratitude and heartfelt warmth to all the visitors we’ve had throughout this year.  We know we would not have our family business if it were not for those that take the time to go out of their way to visit the Ranch. As the years pass it is a true compliment to have generations of families return and make Erickson Ranch a regular visit.  We thank you!

Though we have been here for many years we are always pleased to hear, “We have passed this place for years and decided it was time to come down the road .  It is quite the adventurous spirit that drives down the lane to find out what is at the other end.  We can guarantee it will be well worth the visit whether it be a bite of the freshest fruit of the day or a walk in the u-pick garden to fill their basket with garden goodies or pick a fresh bouquet of flowers.

The start of the 2011 growing season was a bit difficult due to the Blenheim Apricot crop failure. With that said, it was a wonderful season.   The peaches were abundant, the flowers were beautiful, the raised beds were prolific and we were happy to greet all the  new faces and families.

We thank you all and  look forward to next season with a  wish that each and everyone of you to have a  Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!

You may be  asking yourself, “What is this blog all about”?

Tradition would be the answer.  I need to go into a bit of Erickson Ranch Pumpkin Patch history for the story to make any sense.  Many years ago our neighbor at the time, Don Angle, had a Giant” Big Mac” pumpkin patch around the corner  from Erickson Ranch.   We grew the fruit and vegetables and Don grew the  Big Mac  pumpkins.  I wonder, if at the time, we had an unwritten or unspoken agreement that we wouldn’t “interfere” with each others business and instead we became mutually beneficial partners in the Agr-itourism business.  Of course, you must understand I don’t think the term Agri-tourism was part of  farm lingo at the time as it is today.  Needless to say,  Don cultivated a following of pumpkin hunters that made the yearly trek to Suisun Valley during Fall Harvest, to fill  their wagons with their coveted  Big Mac  pumpkin.   Autumn is by far the most beautiful season in Suisun Valley.  An outing  to our valley became, for many families, an exciting adventure as they prepared for Halloween.  Once the kids and pumpkins  were rounded up and  loaded in the car the families  continued to the Ranch to load up on the  Autumn’s bounty of fruit and vegetables.  Little did we know that one of those young families belonged to Lillian and Nancy.

Years pass, as they have a habit of doing, and unfortunately so did our friend Don.  He was a lovely man and his memory remains with us each time a giant pumpkin is hoisted onto the scale.  Tradition and history had been established and now it was time to carry on the history and make new tradition.  That was done with the help of Lillian, Nancy, their families and friends.  The annual Giant Pumpkin Story began when we all decided (unknown to us at the time) that the families would  move down the road a bit to Erickson Ranch. For years the gathering was small, but as the their children grew so to did the size of those attending.  This year there were even 4 generations of pumpkin gatherers!  What a compliment to us.

"Reserved for the Lillian and Nancy Family Gathering"

Each October, early in the month, we look forward to the phone call from Lillian to reserve the tables under the Willow tree for the family to spend the day gathering and feasting.  They make it a point to let us know how much they enjoy the gathering but I don’t know if they realize that their visit is just as much fun for us as it is for them.  Several years ago Erickson Ranch presented a sign to the ladies titled,  “Reserved for the Lillian and Nancy Family Gathering”.  It has become part of their tradition to keep the sign from year to year and set it up on the table amongst all the family members and guests with all the wonderful pot-luck goodies for post- pumpkin gathering feasting.  We hit a record number of family members and guests this year with 28 in attendance!  What a wonderful time was had by all.

The ladies have been friends for many years and keep their families in close contact by arranging traditional gatherings throughout each year.  Erickson Ranch is fortunate to be part of their family memories. We have grown to be friends over the years and it is without a doubt Halloween and the Giant Pumpkin Story would not be the same without their presence.  We thank you all!!

As close as Nancy and Lillian are they do have secret.  A very friendly competition to try to “outweigh” each other with their haul of pumpkins presents itself each year.  They both made extra trips to the Patch to try to outdo each other this year.

Our thanks to Don Angle for beginning the Great Pumpkin Story!!!

Once the Ranch opens for the season the action never stops.  There are only so many hours of sunlight in the day to get the job done.  Even though we have been open only one month the crop of Blenheim apricots is coming to a close and we are already on the third variety of both  white and yellow peaches as well as nectarines.  The memories of the fruit from last season are once again brought to life with the first bite of the delicious, tree ripened, chin dripping peach.  One cannot eat a ripe peach standing straight up for it requires bending at the waist and letting the juice fall to the ground.  With each bite the flavor makes your taste-buds explode and ask for more.  Each peach and nectarine variety lasts, at most, only 2 weeks and some even less.  I am often asked, “What is your favorite variety of peach?”   Honestly, I would have to say that each time a new peach comes into the fruit shed from the field it is my favorite.

To keep the fruit coming and the Fruit Shed stocked requires hitting the ground running the moment the sunlight shines on your face in the morning.  Please note the “Farmers Foot-Wear apparel”   as he begins his day.

Farmers Foot-Wear apparel

On the top step is the “slip-on” for easy access first thing in the morning to make a quick check of the shed.  On the second step is the “irrigation boot” perfect for changing the ever present irrigation pipe to make sure all waters are going the right direction.  Next in line is the traditional “Lace-Up Work Boot” that carries the farmer throughout most of the day.  Finally is the “Dress Cowboy Boot” for the occasional visit to a nearby restaurant for a relaxing dinner at the end of a long, productive day.

Blenheim Apricots

As mentioned earlier, the Blenheim Apricots are completing their spectacular show for 2010.  They have not only been beautiful but absolutely delicious.  We will be able to continue the tradition and flavor of the Blenheim through the season in our Apricot jam as well as wonderful dried apricots.

We look forward to seeing at the ranch!

Anticipation of the upcoming seasons creates the groundwork that keeps the farmer on track.

Amongst the many changes that remind us of the upcoming spring is the return of our many feathered friends. The varieties of birds that choose to make a stop by Erickson Ranch to raise their latest generations are the Blue Birds, Wood Ducks, House – Finches , Owls, Ring-neck  Doves and the Barn Swallows . The air is filled with the sounds of each bird from the first rays of sunlight through the sunset of evening.

Several years ago the local Boy Scout troop made a variety of bird houses for the ranch. Our favorite has been the Blue Bird Box. We placed it high on a telephone pole that we can view from the kitchen window. It took a year but box has been in use every year like clock- work. Their magnificent blue color is almost explosive as the sun reflects on their feathers. The entrance or opening of the box is a very specific size that prevents other species of birds from entering and disturbing the growing family. Once the family is grown the Blue Birds are gone until the following season.

We have a new guest on the front porch this spring. Ray noticed that each time he went on the side porch a small house finch would nervously fly away. We have several potted plants on a shelf in the general area of the bird. He said, “You will never believe this”. As I stood on the chair next to the shelves and gently peeked into the flower pot, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The female finch had proceeded to built a lovely nest and fill it with 3 beautiful light blue eggs. We will quietly watch her raise her young and keep the nest as a reminder of her visit to the ranch.

Porch Finch

The Wood Ducks return each and every year. Their boxes were specifically built by the California Waterfowl Association. These boxes were strategically placed along the banks of the Suisun Valley Creek which flows adjacent to the Ranch. Like clock-work, the Wood Ducks return, lay a large clutch of eggs and it seems just as quickly they hatch and leave the “nest”.

For years the swallows have returned to Erickson Ranch. We have had the pleasure of watching a family of swallows set up housekeeping in one of our original buildings we call, “the Cabin”.  The building has been on the property since its’ purchased by the Erickson family in 1958.

Swallow Cabin

We watch with delight as the swallows build their nest and raise their young, right before our eyes. They spend the summer and one day during the fall they are gone. It is as though a signal spreads through their community and off they go.

The more attention we pay to the nature surrounding us the more we realize how fortunate we are to be part of the mix. We will continue to provide the environment that our feathered friends have come to expect from us each and every year.

Victoria and Raymond Erickson