It’s that time of year, so enjoy it and be respectful.
Welcome back to the Mailbag!
Fall is, without question, this writers favorite time of year.
There are many reasons for that. Its football season, so that helps. Theres more candy, a major plus. Its not a trillion-billion degrees outside, so theres that. There are usually some cool outdoor concerts. Fire pits in the backyard are fun. Hoodies make their long-awaited return.
Thanks to an all-Texas American League Championship Series and the assuredness of there being a Texas team in the World Series, this fall even added a baseball element I care about.
Mostly, fall is awesome because this is the time of year to get out and about. So, today were going to talk about something near and dear to our hearts here in the Lubbock area: agritourism.
If youre wondering what agritourism is, its what happens around here in the fall, when families and friends and couples looking for a day out in this lovely weather visit a farm, pumpkin patch, corn maze, or any other kind of agricultural property in search of a good time.
With so many places around Lubbock to visit – Everything Lubbock put together a great list here – its easy to see that visiting farms is a big part of the fall festivities in the area.
Knowing my wife, if we havent walked the maze at Atl Do Farms or visited the pumpkin trail by the end of October, Ill be hearing about it all the way to Christmas.
Bow season is also upon us, with the full deer season just around the corner, another hugely popular form of agritourism. And while were on the topic, there are some pretty good hiking spots in the Texas Panhandle that are very much worth visiting this time of year. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailways and Palo Duro Canyon State Park all offer some nice hikes and views.

Alongside attending football games, agritourism is what many people in West Texas do in the fall. Its where we choose to spend our dollars. Its part of the lifeblood of the communities in the region and one of the things that helps ensure the vitality of the Texas Panhandle.
With supporting our local farmers and communities in mind, wed like to ask a favor of Red Raider nation.
While youre out having all this fun, picking pumpkins and wandering through mazes and hunting, keep in mind that the land youre on is somebody elses business. It takes a ton of work to get a crop ready. That alone is a commitment. But inviting the public to experience the land takes even more work.
No matter if youre visiting a local farm for sunflowers and pumpkins, trying to find the prettiest place to take some fall pictures, working with a landowner for a hunting lease, or visiting a park for a nice long hike, lets all make sure were taking care of our people.
Be respectful of the land. Park where youre supposed to park. Walk where youre supposed to walk. Dont pick plants that arent meant to be picked.
And if you go to Caprock Canyon, dont try to pet the fluffy cows.
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