Day Trip: A Visit to the Orchard
Apples, we love them. We "pick your own", or just buy them by the bag full. Apples are as much a part of Autumn as changing leaves and the smell of wood stoves burning. Nothing is more exciting than the smell of hot apple pie, on a chilly fall afternoon. In fact, experts say if you bake an apple pie, just before showing your house for sale, it will sell better. That makes sense. After all apple pie is America's favorite dessert. I don't know about other countries, but they all have their own apple recipe.
Here, in New York State, we celebrate the apple. Orchards hold Fall festivals encompassing every aspect of the shiny red fruits.
Everyone I know plans a day at the orchard of their choice. It's not only a tradition, it's a requirement for Autumn living. Folks pack the kids in the car, and travel out to the country in anticipation of their destination, the apple orchard.
Many of the larger orchards are more than shops, they are an experience. You get there and try to find a parking place. Knowing what is in store for you makes the circling for a spot less frustrating. Once you have your spot, you head toward the shop that holds your heart's desires. You grab a shopping cart, and you start your journey.
You are there for apples, so they are chosen first. Now you have your prize. Folks gather up their favorite varieties in a frenzy. It is a sight equivalent to last minute Christmas shopping. We grab the baskets and bags like these are the only apples in the world. Everyone want's to get the reddest, biggest, best apples there are. It doesn't matter that most of the apples are exactly the same. We all swear we have found the best.
OK, we have our apples in our cart. On to the cashier? Nope, now we have to check out all of the other fruits, veggies, pumpkins and don't forget the bakery. A trip to the orchard isn't complete without getting a dozen, or two, of cider doughnuts. Another look in the glass case, and you will probably also walk away with a pie or some turnovers.
You push your cart around the other shoppers. By now you are in the back of the shop. The cashier isn't even in sight. You now find your self in the local honey and syrup aisle. It would probably be a bit cheaper to buy them at the grocery store, but you grab one of each. Hey it's all part of the experience.
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