One of my desires for this year in the States is to enjoy the cycle of four seasons and take part in as many seasonal activities as possible. When I shared this goal with my sister-in-law, she immediately caught the vision and has become the chairperson of the "seasonal fun and gaiety" club. She promptly invited us to go apple picking at Royal Oaks Farm, an orchard where she has gone many years. She promised apple cider doughnuts, so I knew the trip would be worth it. And, oh my, was it ever!
We nearly canceled our outing when we stepped outside into the cold, whipping wind and saw rain in the forecast. However, inclement weather is all a part of seasonal activities, so we sallied forth with rain sprinkling our windshield along the way. We drove the hour and a half to the orchard, taking a very small detour into Hebron, (I'm sure you've heard of it. You know . . . Home of the 1952 State Basketball Champions . . . Surely, you know it!) and on into Wisconsin where we had to turn around come back through time and Hebron to the orchard.
We pulled up and were pleased to find the parking area largely empty. We stepped out of the car, made restroom stops, ate some doughnuts inside away from the wind and set forth to pick our apples. As we walked out into the orchard, the clouds and chill cleared and the sun came out for the rest of our day. It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day!
We picked a peck of Empire, Jonareds, Liberty, and Gala, sampling along the way. We didn't see a single soul in the orchard. It was all ours. The kids ran and played and picked. The Empire apples proved to be our personal favorites. Great for baking. Our apples have made appearances in apple fritters, apple oven-pancakes, and caramel apple crisp. It didn't take us long to get through them.
The farm also has a great play area for the kids with miniature wooden houses, giant wooden train, boat, tractor and truck to climb on, and a petting zoo where kids can feed goats and sheep. They also took a train ride and a turn on the merry-go-round--a little over-priced at $2.50 a pop. But, hey, all in the name of seasonal fun and gaiety.
We drove away hours later with more doughnuts in hand and some cider for Daddy who was stuck studying all day and couldn't go. It was a wonderful experience! So wonderful that we repeated the trip with Daddy and the other set of Chicago cousins a few weeks later!
One of my desires for this year in the States is to enjoy the cycle of four seasons and take part in as many seasonal activities as possible. When I shared this goal with my sister-in-law, she immediately caught the vision and has become the chairperson of the "seasonal fun and gaiety" club. She promptly invited us to go apple picking at Royal Oaks Farm, an orchard where she has gone many years. She promised apple cider doughnuts, so I knew the trip would be worth it. And, oh my, was it ever!
We nearly canceled our outing when we stepped outside into the cold, whipping wind and saw rain in the forecast. However, inclement weather is all a part of seasonal activities, so we sallied forth with rain sprinkling our windshield along the way. We drove the hour and a half to the orchard, taking a very small detour into Hebron, (I'm sure you've heard of it. You know . . . Home of the 1952 State Basketball Champions . . . Surely, you know it!) and on into Wisconsin where we had to turn around come back through time and Hebron to the orchard.
We pulled up and were pleased to find the parking area largely empty. We stepped out of the car, made restroom stops, ate some doughnuts inside away from the wind and set forth to pick our apples. As we walked out into the orchard, the clouds and chill cleared and the sun came out for the rest of our day. It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day!
We picked a peck of Empire, Jonareds, Liberty, and Gala, sampling along the way. We didn't see a single soul in the orchard. It was all ours. The kids ran and played and picked. The Empire apples proved to be our personal favorites. Great for baking. Our apples have made appearances in apple fritters, apple oven-pancakes, and caramel apple crisp. It didn't take us long to get through them.
The farm also has a great play area for the kids with miniature wooden houses, giant wooden train, boat, tractor and truck to climb on, and a petting zoo where kids can feed goats and sheep. They also took a train ride and a turn on the merry-go-round--a little over-priced at $2.50 a pop. But, hey, all in the name of seasonal fun and gaiety.
We drove away hours later with more doughnuts in hand and some cider for Daddy who was stuck studying all day and couldn't go. It was a wonderful experience! So wonderful that we repeated the trip with Daddy and the other set of Chicago cousins a few weeks later!
3 comments:
Oh, what a wonderful outing! But what's this "we sallied forth" kind of talk? I know you must have read that in a book, but you always make me chuckle when I read those kinds of words coming from you. Love you -- Mom
How fun!!! I want your apple recipes! They sounded soo good!!! (Totally serious about passing along the secret recipes! ;)
LOVE these pictures and info about your day in the apple orchard! Wish we could have gone with you!! That's a great picture of you and Ethan! LOL at the water tower hanging on to the memories of 1952!
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