oh and does this kind (maxima species) ripen more off the vine like pepo or does it stop? thanks

I'm looking at the green, juicy stem and the green vines and leaf stems nearby. From that evidence I would say it is not ripe. Not until all the leaves and vines are dead and the stem is brown and dry.

I would also say that any ripening off the vine is never as good as ripening on the vine. A vine-ripened squash will always be superior. You may get some sweetening off the vine but it will never catch up in flavor and quality to a vine ripened one.

Farmers will often harvest pumpkins at this stage as they are useful for various decorative purposes, but they aren't in their best condition yet.

Hi, I agree with tcstoehr, I think the pumpkins is not 100% ripe. Vine looks very alive and healthy. Big max is a maxima and maximas keep growing very late into the season and the pumpkins may still be maturing the seeds.