Community Corner

Ohio Family Enjoying California Sun While Working At The Pumpkin Patch

The Bekeleski family is in the midst of a year-long trip around the western half of the country

Mike Bekeleski brought his family from Ohio to California this fall for a simple reason.

"We didn't want to be anywhere where it was cold," he said.

The job at the Shadelands Ranch Pumpkin Patch was a nice bonus.

"It's been a challenge, but it's been fun," said Bekeleski.

The family's journey began in February.

Bekeleski's 18-year-old daughter was a freshman in college, leaving just his wife, Liz, and their 11-year-old and 7-year-old children in the house.

Bekeleski and his wife had talked about doing a year-long sojourn in their camper for a number of years and they thought this was as good a time as any.

Mike quit his job as a sales associate and Liz quit her job as a social worker. They sold their house quickly and packed everyone up and drove away from their small town in Ohio.

They spent the first five months working on a ranch in Wyoming. Then, they vacationed for a few weeks in Yellowstone Park, the Grand Tetons and the Rocky Mountains.

On the website workcamper.com, Bekeleski saw a posting for someone to manage the Shadelands pumpkin patch on Ygnacio Valley Road.

He jumped at the chance and arrived in Walnut Creek a few weeks ago. They set up their camper in the parking lot and got busy.

The patch is one of several lots owned by a Contra Costa entrepreneur who hires people to sell pumpkins at Halloween and Christmas trees in December.

The Shadelands lot has pumpkins spread all around, but it also includes scarecrows, a petting zoo with goats and pigs, a hay slide and a motorized "cow train ride" for kids.

So far, business has been good. Bekeleski said they've sold more than 1,000 pumpkins.

They were getting the gourds from a San Jose farm, but that ranch is out of pumpkins, so they've been rounding up the orange orbs from anywhere they can.

On Tuesday, the selection of pumpkins had definitely thinned out. Bekeleski said they'll probably be sold out by Thursday afternoon.

He and his family will clean up the lot on Friday, then head to Yosemite for 10 days.

After that, they'll probably sell Christmas trees somewhere, then finish out their journey in the Grand Canyon before heading home to Ohio in February.

Bekeleski said it will be good to get home. His children are missing their friends and their school, among other things. They've been home-schooled while on the trip.

The journey has been rewarding and interesting.

"It was a risk, but you only live once," said Bekeleski.


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