S2-E62: Pumpkins by the Pond: How One Idea Becomes a Tradition

Here's what's crazy.

I don't even have the photograph anymore.

I don't have this photograph that is just etched in my brain.

23 years later, I can close my eyes and I can see those pumpkins just blowing around a pond at night.

And I can see people coming to tour the pond and like being blown away and this magical moment.

And I do remember someone gave me a photograph.

I wasn't taking pictures.

I didn't have an iPhone.

This is like... 2003 range, right? But someone gave me this photograph.

And I just remember it being just the coolest photograph.

It's like the lighting was just perfect.

The pumpkins were glowing.

The pond looked amazing.

And I don't have that photograph anymore.

I'm so sad by that.

I wish I could share it with everyone.

But that's what a great experience does with you.

It burns into you.

It etches you.

It stays with you.

Now, we jump forward roughly, you know, 10 or 12 years.

And I tried to create that same magical photograph with another pumpkin carving contest.

And I didn't quite capture the original moment.

But, you know, it's interesting because I discovered something along the way, like it's this whole big experience.

It wasn't just the photograph.

Here's what's crazy.

I don't even have the photograph anymore.

I don't have this photograph that is just etched in my brain.

23 years later, I can close my eyes and I can see those pumpkins just blowing around a pond at night.

And I can see people coming to tour the pond and like being blown away and this magical moment.

And I do remember someone gave me a photograph.

I wasn't taking pictures.

I didn't have an iPhone.

This is like... 2003 range, right? But someone gave me this photograph.

And I just remember it being just the coolest photograph.

It's like the lighting was just perfect.

The pumpkins were glowing.

The pond looked amazing.

And I don't have that photograph anymore.

I'm so sad by that.

I wish I could share it with everyone.

But that's what a great experience does with you.

It burns into you.

It etches you.

It stays with you.

Now, we jump forward roughly, you know, 10 or 12 years.

And I tried to create that same magical photograph with another pumpkin carving contest.

And I didn't quite capture the original moment.

But, you know, it's interesting because I discovered something along the way, like it's this whole big experience.

It wasn't just the photograph.