Fall is upon us and this edition’s selections are specific to the fall season. The under-21 option, The Pumpkin Patch, is on Sauvie Island and is open until Oct. 31. Drive out Highway 30 to Sauvie Island, follow the signs, pull into the huge improvised parking lots and experience a 45-year-old Portland area tradition.
The Pumpkin Patch, as the name would suggest, has a huge selection of pumpkins, but there is much more to do.
During this time of year they offer free hay rides. There is a hay maze for children, cow chain for anybody, a petting zoo, a gift shop, a corn maze, after dark a scary corn maze complete with costumed characters, a farm store and a festival style food area. A trip to the pumpkin patch can easily entertain friends and family for hours on end.
Seasonal foods are offered such as caramel apples, spiced cider, whole corn on the cob, hot chocolate and festival-styled foods such as elephant ears
. It is a fall pilgrimage, a yearly ritual and a permanent festival with month-long access. The pumpkin patch is hosted on a functioning farm, which is sustainable-practice-certified.
Visiting students should check out the vegetables and fruit available in their store, which are fantastic. They also have their apple cider in to-go forms. It’s a trip worth making.
Apple cider is a fall tradition and hard apple cider is an up-and-coming beverage. Rev. Nate’s Hard Apple Cider is a craft producer in the Portland area. In fine Portland craft beverage tradition started in someone’s house and has grown in the Northeast Portland area.
The Reverend has a Tap Room open Thursday to Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The tap room is decorated
Scott Sharp / The Pacific Index
with oak barrels with some seating areas in the bar. Behind the bar you can see giant vats fermenting the flavorful liquid.
Rev. Nate’s is essentially a tasting room. With hard cider being the new beverage, they are in the early stages of brewhouses. The limited hours allow them to have highly knowledgeable servers who can answer your questions and recommend selections.
They offer taster flights ranging from six to the entire selection. They do not have the kitchen but they will allow you to bring food in from anywhere a local restaurant can order a pizza to the place.
With its intimate atmosphere it would be an excellent place for date. Pack a picnic basket with food or snacks, order a flight of tasters, sit down on the couch and enjoy your meal while talking.
Rev. Nate is located not far from the Lloyd Center area and is a convenient two block walk from the streetcar.
It’s a good place to try something new. 
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