Since I see them every week at our local farmer's market, we decided to head up to the Royal Oak Farm/Orchard in Harvard to go apple and pumpkin picking this year. Our trip to Goebbert's last year for pumpkins was kind of a bust, though we did buy some we didn't get to "pick" them, so we figured a trip out to the country was in order. Now that the kids are bit bigger, they were all game for apple picking. I have to admit I'd never given them a whole apple to eat, but they were/are insane for them. Like they wouldn't put them down. And now when they see the ones we picked, they go ballistic. I guess that is the sign of a good new thing in their lives.
It is funny that even though I spent three fall seasons in high school actually working at an apple orchard outside my home town, I had never actually been apple picking. I worked in the store, so I know more than anyone really needs to about apples, but I had never picked my own and neither had DH. It was really fun.
They had my all time favorite, Galas, but we also got some Liberties, Empires, Cortlands (for baking), and few others too. It was nice we only had to pick a peck or about 15 lbs. (the min. for every four ppl, though the kids didn't count), but you can mix whatever kinds you like, that are ready to harvest, and it is peak season here now. When I worked at the orchard, the Galas, as gourmet eating apples, were more expensive than all the other kinds, so I felt like I was getting a deal to get so many.
They also have a petting zoo. The turkeys and alpacas were a big hit. Almost like being at Grandpa John's farm.
The forecast was sketchy, but given the radar was clear, we went for it. We stayed for lunch, but skipped the mini-train (next time), and it started raining about two minutes after we started driving back home.
Alistair made us both very happy Friday night when he went on a walking binge. Going the length of our open living/foyer/dining area several times, pivoting like a rock star and actually getting up everytime he went down. If only we could bottle whatever confidence it took for him to do that and give it back to him in large doses.
It is funny that even though I spent three fall seasons in high school actually working at an apple orchard outside my home town, I had never actually been apple picking. I worked in the store, so I know more than anyone really needs to about apples, but I had never picked my own and neither had DH. It was really fun.
They had my all time favorite, Galas, but we also got some Liberties, Empires, Cortlands (for baking), and few others too. It was nice we only had to pick a peck or about 15 lbs. (the min. for every four ppl, though the kids didn't count), but you can mix whatever kinds you like, that are ready to harvest, and it is peak season here now. When I worked at the orchard, the Galas, as gourmet eating apples, were more expensive than all the other kinds, so I felt like I was getting a deal to get so many.
They also have a petting zoo. The turkeys and alpacas were a big hit. Almost like being at Grandpa John's farm.
The forecast was sketchy, but given the radar was clear, we went for it. We stayed for lunch, but skipped the mini-train (next time), and it started raining about two minutes after we started driving back home.
Alistair made us both very happy Friday night when he went on a walking binge. Going the length of our open living/foyer/dining area several times, pivoting like a rock star and actually getting up everytime he went down. If only we could bottle whatever confidence it took for him to do that and give it back to him in large doses.
