New Orchard, Old Apples

Fall is my favorite season! I love the beautiful colors of the changing leaves, the crisp air, pumpkin everything and cider donuts ... with a cup of coffee, of course. But what I especially love about fall is apple picking! 

My Mom and stepfather started taking me to the orchard every September since I was around ten or eleven. They would always buy the combination box of apples and nectarines because my siblings and I could never decide on what fruit we wanted. We always made it into a full day and would get all kinds of treats at the orchard shack and spend a couple of hours with my younger brothers at their petting zoo and playground. We used to really enjoy these special days and I have fond memories of these outings!

Naturally, when I got married and had kids, I carried on this family tradition with my family. And after all these years we still go to Tougas Farm - the same orchard that my parents took me when I was younger. Their farm has grown so much since we first started going there! Their fruit is always fresh and crunchy - our favorite are the Gala apples (my mouth waters just thinking of them). The farmers are always polite, smiling and super helpful and their kitchen always has warm cider donuts. And their kettle corn? Delicious! Oh, I can't forget their pumpkin tree - okay fine, EVERYTHING about this farm is amazing and there's something for everyone, which for a family of six, is a big deal lol! My kids and I just love this place! :D

Although Tougas is my go-to orchard, a few weeks ago I was scrolling through Groupon on my iPhone, when I came upon this great deal for apple picking at an orchard close by. I had never been there but it looked and sounded like a good place and the reviews (I check reviews for everything! lol) were good, so I bought the Groupon. 'Why not? It's time to try a new place once', I thought.

So this past Sunday off we went to pick some apples! We had amazing weather, which was on point with the Fall season - sunny but crisp - and it was a nice scenic drive getting there. It really was the perfect day...until we got there.

This is what we came across....

Rotten apples! 
Yup, the majority of the apples looked like this ...

We had two bags to fill - a small and a large. With all the apples looking like this it was hard to fill a small bag, never mind a large one! Ugh...I just wanted to run away. 

Galas - our favorite apple! Not the kind you'd want to eat though.

"Where are all the good apples?!" Hubby looking to see if he could find some edible Galas. He was not happy!

There were plenty of Cortlands (which nobody likes at my house) but had no choice but to take home. Guess I'll have to look up some apple baking recipes on Pinterest! 

There was a small but nice pumpkin patch and, guess what?, their pumpkins weren't rotten! Lol

My auto tech guy found an old truck and had to take a picture with it :). 

Kids always find ways to enjoys themselves; they might or might have not thrown a few rotten apples at each other lol!

Well, there it is...our yearly visit to the apple orchard. I was super annoyed at the "failed attempt" for a good family Sunday, but going out with my crazies makes it a time well spent!

I did learn one lesson - never cheat on your favorite apple orchard. 

I guess this calls for another orchard day...this time at our favorite place! ;)

~ Yamilka ~