The wind is crisp and before long the leaves are going to paint their own colorful exhibit that will put even the best art galleries to shame.

So while I am sad to say goodbye to long days and sunny skies, I am just as excited to say hello to brisk nights and warm sweaters.

Maybe it is my favorite sport making its yearly comeback and the bellowing of both adulation and aggravation coming from my house each Sunday that excites me, but I think there is more to it.

There is something magical about watching nature put on a show and literally transforming itself right in front of your eyes. Plus, who does not love the scent of cinnamon that seems to linger about and the colorful blanket of leaves that dance at your feet?

So while the weather still has yet to unleash its harshest conditions and before our desire to leave our house or even our pajamas has vanished completely, I suggest checking out Siegel's Cottonwood Farm in Crest Hill, Ill. Its vast amount of fall oriented attractions seem unlimited providing something to satisfy everyone in your family's taste. Its extensive coverage on CBS, NBC, ABC, CLTV, WGN, and in Time along with it being voted the best of Chicago by CBS2 should be more than enough to prove its appeal.

Its hayrack rides are handicap accessible and even make stops so that it riders can graze amongst the pumpkins until they find the perfect one to bring home.

Children can play inside miniature barns and then try their hand at climbing a 6-foot wall which lets them not only look out of a silo, but also slide back down to the ground below. Besides that, they have a pirate ship that allows children to literally walk the plank and a variety of different trains to ride, even one where the adults can accompany them.

As well, it has "A Pirates of the Cornibbean" cornfield maze which is open on the weekends and is 30 acres offering 5.5 miles of paths to choose from.

All children younger than 12 must be accompanied by adults to partake. And if you do not have time or you think it will be too much walking for younger children, you can check out their "Kiddies Miner Maze." New this year, they also have a "Golden Gulch Gem Mine" where children can pretend to be miners and actually pan for real "treasure" that they will get to take home with them.

As if all that was not enough, it even has a haunted barn which is suited for families and a rather extensive petting zoo which has question-and-answer boards to help teach your children about the animals.

Admission is $12 a person for anyone 3 and older and children younger than 2 are admitted free. Only three attractions are not covered by the admission's cost.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sept. 27 through Halloween. You can contact them at (815) 741-2693 or check them out at www.ourpumpkinfarm.com.

So if you are looking for a fun way to kick off autumn with your family or a great alternative for a class trip, this is definitely a place to check out.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. She can be reached at nini85@sbcglobal.com.