牧場ではまだ紅葉も残りますが、それ以上に落葉が目立っています。
一歩歩けば、サクサク、ザクザクです（もちろん場所によりますが）。
木々の青葉が紅葉して、ついに落葉するにつれ、目隠しがなくなり？見通しが良くなっています。
牧場中心部を囲む山々も、その稜線をはっきりと現すようになっています。
いよいよ冬の到来か！？というところです。
とは言え、昨日（11/23）の「下仁田ねぎ祭り2025」では、日中、暑いくらいでした…冷えるといけないからと着込み過ぎたためかもしれません。
今年最後の三連休の中日で、しかも好天、この時季にしては珍しく陽気に誘われた？ということもあったのでしょうか！？…大変な盛況でした。
毎年のように参加している牧場職員も、「広場の向こう側のお店が見えない！今年が初めて！！」と言っていました。
当店にも、たいへん多くのみなさまご来店いただき、誠にありがとうございました。
また企画・運営を担われた主催、共催の皆様にも感謝申し上げます。
魅力的な企画や出店が多かったですね！
*************
Although some autumn colors still remain around the ranch, the fallen leaves are now much more noticeable.
With every step you/we take, the ground goes crunch, crunch—though it depends on the spot, of course.
As the green leaves turned red and finally fell, the scenery has opened up, giving us a clearer view than before.
The mountains surrounding the central part of the ranch are also revealing their ridgelines more distinctly.
It truly feels like winter is just around the corner.
That said, yesterday’s Shimonita Negi Festival 2025 (11/23) was surprisingly warm—almost hot at midday.
Perhaps I simply wore too many layers, expecting colder weather.
Since it was the second day of the final three-day weekend of the year, blessed with fine weather and unusually mild conditions for the season, many people were probably drawn out by the pleasant day. The festival was incredibly crowded.
Even our ranch staff, who participate every year, said,
“We couldn’t even see the stalls on the other side of the plaza! This is the first time it’s been like this!”
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many visitors who stopped by our booth.
We also extend our appreciation to the organizers and co-organizers who planned and managed the event.
