The fall season is not complete without apple picking. Even though my kids are adults we make the annual trip upstate New York to our usual tourist trap to pick apples. The best time of year to pick apples is the last two weeks of September to the first two weeks of October.
The drive upstate is about an hour and a half, along the way the trees are noticeably changing colors. Gold, red, brown, burgundy, dark green leaves fall to the ground with every puff of wind. The trees are becoming bare and preparing for the winter sleep.
Living in a big city it is not often we can visit an old farm and orchard; this farm has been in operation since 1898. From the literature the farm was a cattle farm then evolved to an agricultural farm.
Arriving early, we pull into the two-acre free dirt parking lot. One time I drove over a bale of hay and got stuck, four burley farm hands came and lifted my car and removed the rouge hay bundle.
We purchased the required bags and headed into the orchard with apples from common varieties like golden delicious to Rome to more unusual varieties like Opal and Ambrosia.
We stick with the more common varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Red Delicious and golden.
Twenty-five pounds is enough for us to carry. On our way to weigh and pay we stop at the vegetable stand for several pumpkins, corn and potatoes. After the vegetable stand, we head for the bakery. Apple cider donuts and apple butter and slices of apple pie with coffee and tea. Sugar overload is delicious.
Weather worn from the fresh air we head back to the car and the drive home. We feel accomplished and content with our apple choices.
At home I make apple juice, apple turnover, apple strudel (my favorite), apple with peanut butter for a snack, baked apples, mini apple pies, baked pork chops with apples. The smell of apples and cinnamon and raisins, sugar and flour is a prelude to colder fall days sliding into winter. Pine trees, snow, hot chocolate, fireplaces, cozy blankets, sweaters, boots and upcoming holidays.
As we finish fall and forget apple picking for another year, had enough apple everything, time will pass and once again we will be done with summer, looking forward again to our annual trek to our favorite upstate New York farm for apples.
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