Living in south Florida I really never get to see the fall colors so every year I like to

take a trip to my favorite small town to reconnect with the season. I'm on my way to

Hauntsville, U.S.A. Care to come along?

It is October, the leaves are turning, a chilly nip is in the air, crops are being harvested

and in Hauntsville some things never seem to change.

Our first view of Hauntsville is always as we drive up Highway 66 along Coldwater Creek.

But wait----the Coldwater Creek sign is missing---there seems to be two guys

replacing the old sign with a new one. . .

Upon arriving in town, it is always best to check the town bulletin board to see what is

going on. Look, there is a typical view of small town America, an old fashioned Halloween hayride.

Hauntsville has some unique architecture. The old mortuary features a sort of Gothic style

which has always made it a bit on the creepy side. But I don't seem to recognize the guy

out front. I don't think he worked there last year.

I thought that once you died and were buried, you STAYED in the ground. However it appears

in Hauntsville some of those buried, don't stay buried. . .

Let's head up Mainstreet and into town. . .

Heloise is known far and wide for her creative pumpkin carvings. It is always amazing to

see that she gets the choice location, right at the town entrance to set up her pumpkin patch.

Heloise has always had pumpkins for sale at bargain prices. I hope that guy sneaking out

the pumpkin patch on the right paid for his pumpkin. He looks like he might be a bit

light fingered.

Heloise always get the freshest pumpkins for her sales. She gets at least one shipment

(wagonload) each day. Mr. Higgins, the pumpkin grower says business is quite brisk

this year and he has had to take on a new guy to help out. He says the guy works hard

and doesn't even need a lunch break.

The old church has stood in the town center for nearly 100 years.

The current pastor has maintained the old tradition of never turning the needy

away. He also likes to help folks who need work when ever he can. This year he

says he has hired some new grounds workers.

Looks like one of the hired hands is taking a water break. . .

while the other crew members are hard at work replacing some broken statues. I

aways thought that angels were appropriate for churches, but the work crew seems

to be replacing the broken angel with something quite different.

Let's follow the pumpkin wagon into town and up to the old plaza.

My favorite stop on the plaza is the old book store.

The shop is quite well known for its collection of original American manuscripts and

first editions. It also has a fine display of old fashioned pop-up books. It is always fun

to spend a few hours sitting on the floor upstairs in the classic section reading the

old volumes.

You can tell it is still well before the dinner hours. The staff at the

Crowntree Inn is taking a break by playing horseshoes. It is a great game

but few "modern" folks even take a turn on the pitch, much less know the rules.

We will have to come back for dinner, the fresh catfish and and the chicken dumplings

are famously delicious!!

Some folks stop at the inn to get a bottle of the locally produced wine from Tipling's

Winery and then enjoy it on the public benches. But you would think this guy would at least

share it with a few friends.

The old player theater puts on seasonal plays. Currently on stage is

"Dracula Meets Frankstein" and the playbill says all the actors are

locals. I see a crowd is beginning to gather for tonight's performance. Wonder

where some of those folks got that fresh popcorn?

That old house up on the bluff behind the plaza always looks so creepy.

Wonder where the owner gets all those yard decorations? He also seems to have

a rather strange bird for a pet. . .

One of my favorite places in town is the little alley off the back of the plaza.

Folks who rush through town are really missing out on some unique local specialities.

The Prettywell sisters have an old stone house that dates back almost 100 years.

The sisters are known for their fine lacework and have many beautiful and special items

for sale. But the best part of the secret alley is Edgar Tipling's Winery.

Edgar grows his own grapes and says he has a special secret fertilizer that he gets from

Mordecai Mould that makes his grapes produce a really sweet wine. There is even a

patio where you can sit and enjoy a sampling of his wares.

He does get some strange guests though.

Gee, it seems while we were at the winery the Prettywell sisters have had some help spinning their seasonal lace.

Let's head up town and into the neighborhood.

John Wilson lives at the top of the hill. He has always enjoyed making creative pumpkins.

I see he has got several masterpieces already finished.

The Andersons have taken advantage of the bumper crop of pumpkins and have

created a pumpkinman for their front yard.

My favorite house is always the Smith's. You can see he loves work working and has

created quite a number of homemade yard decorations. I see the town children enjoy

trick or treating on this street, here everyone seems to be into the Halloween spirit.

Past the neighborhood and up on the hill is where we can find the local produce.

The Chapman's have an apple orchard a few miles from town and always bring in the best

apples for sale. This year it looks like he is featuring some hard cider for sale as well.

The Moggin's General Store is a must stop. Here you can get farm fresh produce. This year he has carrots, squash, sweet corn, eggs, sacks of pole beans and sweet cider.

That turkey heading for the corn better watch it or he could be Thanksgiving dinner.

If you have never had fresh maple syurp you just have to make a stop at Stein's Maple Farm.

He taps his trees and sells the best syrup you have ever tasted. You can see the buckets

to catch the syrup hanging on the trees.

People say we should stay out of the old section of town this year---there have been some very strange things going on over there recently.

But what the heck--let's go take a look.

Click the Witch above to take the Old Town Tour---but beware. . .