1. Apples to apples
If you like apples, there’s no place that will fulfill your apple longings more completely than the Apple Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at Riverside Christian School, 463 N. Shepard Road, Washougal. This annual festival — now in its 28th shiny, red year — offers scratch-made apple pies, apple dumplings and deeply discounted apples by the pound. For kids, there are pony rides, face painting and a bounce house. For grown-ups, there are local vendors selling artisanal goods. There will be pie-eating contests and local food vendors, plus free shuttle service to and from the parking lot. 360-835-3114 or Riversidesch.com
2. Pumpkin peeps
Pomeroy Farm’s legendary Pumpkin Lane is a Clark County family tradition: a milelong hayride populated with “pumpkin people” — pumpkin-headed scarecrows arranged in amusing vignettes that allude to fairy tales, superheroes, movies and books. The ride stops at the pumpkin patch, with pumpkins costing from $1.50 to $12. Say hello to piglets, goats and chickens, race tiny pumpkins down the pumpkin flume, explore the hay maze and tour the historic log house, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through October. Admission is $6, $4 for ages 3 to 11 and free for tots younger than 2. 360-686-3537 or PomeroyFarm.org
3. Spirited away
Everyone loves a good ghost story, and there’s almost no place in Vancouver more steeped in the ghosts of the past than the Vancouver Barracks — where so many have lived and more than a few have died. Spirit Tales walking tours, led by author, historian and local paranormal expert Jeff Davis, start at The Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver, then loop around to the Barracks, Parade Ground, O. O. Howard House and Post Hospital. Tours are 7 p.m. Fridays, 5 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and noon on Sundays through October; the cost is $18, $12 for kids and seniors or $15 for veterans. 253-223-0125 or GhostsandCritters.com
4. Better nature
Fall is a splendid time to explore Columbia Springs’ natural wonders, especially during the Family Nature Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13. Search for pumpkins in the forest, join in activities and listen to live music, go on guided nature walks or enjoy hands-on presentations with a newt’s eye view of the cool, creepy, crawly world around us — owls, waterbugs, fish, frogs and more. Hot dogs will be available to buy and there will be raffle prizes from Kazoodles Toys. The $5 suggested donation supports environmental education programs. 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, Vancouver. 360-882-0936, ext. 230, or ColumbiaSprings.org
