Perched proudly atop a sprawling hill in Norco— a Riverside County town, not to be confused with the pain-relieving opioid, where the horses outnumber the human population 2:1— stands a 24/7 Halloween extravaganza. Intrigued? Well, let's dive into this spooky spectacle.
Renowned in these parts and visible from miles away, an oversized, goofy-toothed and beady eyed pumpkin face painted on a massive boulder eagerly awaits hikers who've ventured to Norco to come face to face with what, in my humble opinion, constitutes the town's most astonishing claim to fame. So, if you're the kind of person who frequently wakes up in the heart of July exclaiming, "I absolutely must snag a selfie with a giant Jack O' Lantern today, and Halloween is still three months away! What am I to do?" – well, it's time to strap on those boots, give those calves a good stretch, and prepare for a serious confrontation with the ultimate pumpkin panorama.
Once you finally do summon the courage to face the nameless behemoth, the ascent reveals itself to be deceptively more challenging than it appears; a 1.5-mile uphill skirmish through grassy turns and winding trails. Shockingly, it's a tad more grueling than anticipated, but hey, you can't throw in the towel or show any signs of weakness—there's a colossal pumpkin waiting at the summit, and it persists in taunting and mocking you from a distance and throughout the entire hike; its blank stare intensifying as every minute passes. But fear not, brave adventurer, for each step you take brings you one step closer to victory, and the grand pumpkin spectacle awaits, both as your conqueror and your reward. Remember, it's not just a hill; it's a Halloween-themed battleground, and you're about to claim the title of Pumpkin Conqueror Extraordinaire.
And behold, as you triumphantly reach the pinnacle, there she stands in all her rocky glory! It's a truly exhilarating moment, finally coming face to face with your maker.
Upon closer inspection, the first revelation hits you—she's enormous, much grander than anticipated. A perfectly spherical giant boulder, adorned with a fresh coat of shiny orange paint generously applied by the locals. It's everything I could've imagined a colossal rock masquerading as a jack-o'-lantern could be, and even more. A devilish zipper smile and wide eyes basking in the sun create a dynamic force that resembles Jack Skellington's orange brother.
The photo opportunities in these parts are nothing short of fantastic, and the pumpkin, despite her imposing size, turns out to be quite a friendly beast once you get acquainted. She's here to assist you with those essential photographs, whether you decide to give her a friendly peck, attempt a daring climb, or capture that obligatory "jumping up in the air" shot.
And let's not overlook the breathtaking views—some of the finest in the entire region. But you might find yourself pondering, why on earth does this magnificent creation exist, and who's the quirky genius behind it? Well, my friend, in the realm of giant, spooky-looking pumpkins atop hills, such questions are irrelevant. It's an audacious wonder, and as far as I'm concerned, every hill surrounding Los Angeles should boast its very own gargantuan, Halloween-themed pumpkin at its peak. Plus, there are a few other Halloween-themed goodies scattered around, adding to the quirky charm of the locale.
Trick or Treat, kiddies
