if cutting back on the water will cause the squash to ripen more rapidly so they can be harvested before we leave.

No sorry. The only thing that may hasten ripening is root pruning, a common practice when fall quickly approaches. Since you don't indicate your location or garden zone we have no way of knowing if it is time to do that or not, I suspect not.

I assume you know that winter squash is normally harvested in the late fall after the vines begin to die and the stems on the squash are dry and brown? That said you can harvest it at any time you wish. It just won't taste the same nor store well.

Dave

Thanks Dave, Thanks for the tip, I guess I'll just leave the drips on a timer while I'm gone and see what happens when I get back. I'm guessing they will probably do OK.