Fall Memories with Sarah and James

I have so many fond memories of Sarah and James growing up, especially around Halloween. There was always a special kind of excitement in the cool, crisp fall air. We owned a travel trailer and spent many weekends camping through spring, summer, and fall, but autumn always held something uniquely magical for us.

As the heat of summer gave way to gentle fall breezes, we eagerly anticipated our seasonal traditions. It all began with a trip to Rhinebeck, NY, to take in the breathtaking explosion of fall colors and explore the beauty of the Hudson Valley. Each year we returned to our favorite spots for apple and pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and visits to local farm stands—those quintessential experiences that made fall feel so special.

One particular year, we picked over six half-bushel bags of apples—more than enough for pies, cakes, and muffins galore. On the way back to the campground, several of the bags tipped over in the back of the van. It turned into a hilarious game of “apples away!”—like bobbing for apples, only with your feet. No apples were lost, and once we were settled back at the trailer, we got to work peeling apples for fresh pies.

Our trailer—once lovingly referred to as a “Ramada Inn on wheels”—had all the comforts of home. By midafternoon, two apple pies were baking in the oven, and their scent drifted across the campground. Fellow campers came wandering by, curious and a little envious, wanting to know who was baking pie. There’s nothing quite like picking apples in the morning and enjoying a warm, homemade pie in the afternoon.

Another annual tradition was our Columbus Day weekend trip to a favorite private campground in Middletown, NY. It became a cherished destination year after year. This was always the final camping weekend of the season, just before the campground closed for winter. The air was crisp, the foliage at its peak, and the company unforgettable. We often camped with other families, securing a spot in an open field that gave us a sense of seclusion and peace. In the mornings, we’d watch deer cresting the hill—it was picture-perfect.

That weekend also marked our big pumpkin-picking trip. We’d load the van with pumpkins for decorating and baking and sometimes brought back corn stalks to decorate the front porch. One year, along with our haul of pumpkins and mums, we had a swarm of bees! The mums were full of them, and they clearly had plans to relocate to Long Island. Getting them out of the van was quite an ordeal!

Because it was the last weekend of the season, the campground owners, Mike and Joyce, would host a “Thanksgiving” celebration for all the campers. They prepared several turkeys and a mountain of mashed potatoes, while campers contributed side dishes to create a massive feast. After everyone was thoroughly stuffed, the children would carve pumpkins or decorate them with paint and glitter. There were haunted hayrides through the woods as well, though Sarah and James often found them a little too scary.

Aside from the holidays, fall was our favorite time of year—and probably still is. The season brings back such vivid, joyful memories, but also bittersweet ones. I would give anything for just one more fall like that—one more season of laughter, apple pies, and carefree days with Sarah and James. One more season with Sarah still here.

Even now, twenty-three years later, it’s hard to imagine life without her. It’s even harder to live it.