No clue as to what it is, Molly, but there *are* pale pumpkins... even white ones, these days.
As to the thump... it's a kind of hollow sound. I do better by seeing if the melon is still clinging tight to the vine or is ready to let go. Aroma is a good clue, too... But I pick my melons in the produce dept, not off the vine, so what do I know?
