I truly enjoy this time of year. Some may lament at summer’s passing, but I’m fine with saying ‘goodbye’ to 90-degree weather and Saturdays spent indoors with the shades drawn. It’s just too hot. And, as I glance down at my decidedly pale legs, I’m reminded that the sun and I aren’t BFFs. I’ve spent the past three months dodging its cancer-causing rays and wondering how people can tolerate living in the tropics! But as my corner of the world slowly starts to tilt and the sun becomes “less hot,” I find my weekends are quickly filling up with outdoor activities.
One of my favorite fall pastimes is picking my own apples at a local orchard. When I was a kid, that was basically all you could do at an apple orchard. You showed up, they gave you a crate and pointed you toward the trees. The rest was up to you. If you were lucky, there might be a glass of fresh cider waiting for you when you returned to the barn, and maybe – just maybe – some apple butter and biscuits. And that was it. You usually picked more apples than you could eat, but those extras quickly found their way into a homemade pie or jam.
But, that was then. Apple orchards have come a looooong way since I was a little person. Visiting one today is almost like visiting an amusement park – and usually with just as many people! There are carnival rides, games, face painting, concession stands, arts & crafts, pony rides, wagon rides, corn mazes and pumpkins. It’s your one-stop autumn shop! Who knew you could package and market an entire season? But they have, and I still love it. After all, everyone needs a good caramel apple once in awhile. (Have you noticed how extravagant caramel apples have become? Wow!)
Hmmm, do I smell a new category for the List?
Great pics! My brother always says the key to a great blog is great pictures!