It’s October and you know that means it’s time for the Pumpkin Run, the last drive of the season!  Pumpkin Runners, this year will be the 10th Annual Pumpkin Run and, by your request, Bill and Jill Bingle will lead the ZBimmers on the reverse route of their renowned 9th Annual Pumpkin Run. You really, really don't want to miss this one!

To set the stage, this is a recap from the broadcast for the 9th Annual Pumpkin Run. The route uses the ‘less traveled’ by-ways of east central Ohio where roads don't appear on maps and cell phone reception is weak. Bill hopes that you won't tire of all the twisties because the Run has about 180 miles of them!

Here’s how Bill describes the 10th Annual Pumpkin Run. Back by request is the reverse of the 9th Annual Pumpkin Run with the same hills and twisties but with a view only seen in your mirrors last year. There will be different eateries, though, due to the devastating fire at Landol’s Castle since our last visit.

The 10th Annual Pumpkin Run departs from the Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 18. The restaurant (1343 Old Route 39, Sugarcreek, 330.852.4627), on Rt. 39 east of Sugarcreek, opens at 7 am and has a substantial breakfast buffet. It would be wise to top off the cars in Dover (Exit 83 from I-77) and then continue west on Rt. 39 to the restaurant.

There are scheduled rest stops around noon in Loudonville (McDonald’s) and mid-afternoon in Coshocton (Arby’s or Wendy’s with gas stations nearby).  The 10th Annual Pumpkin Run ends at a winery, of course, around 5 pm! At The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, we can relax with pizza and wine in a rustic country atmosphere. These pizzas are gourmet works of art and cannot be rushed, so the Pumpkin Runners will place their orders en route to speed things along when we arrive. The winery menu is on their website and will also be available on the Run. The winery is located at 11877 Poorman Street, Navarre, 330.832.3677.

With any luck and a little help from our Weathermeister, we anticipate a great turnout and exhilarating drive.