Apple Pickin' at Kimmel Orchard

Last Friday in anticipation of the Applejack Festival, a friend and I went with all our kids out to Kimmel Orchard to pick some apples. She always drives by it heading to the Tree Adventure and I had only heard of their wine, so we were both excited to be experiencing it together with the kids. Lukka's favorite fruit is the juicy apple and with the promise that one of his best buds was going to be there he practically did all but drive the car himself in anticipation. Ani, of course, comes along for the ride. Here are the two sweethearts picking "no bug-bite ones" off a low hanging branch of Galas.

For all of you Fall lovers out there I don't need to tell you that Autumn is the time when apples are in season. Apple cider, apple crisp, and my all time favorite--Carmel apples-- are eaten in high quantities at the Mast household during the last few months of the year. I almost can't eat an apple in the summer; weird I know. Here's one view of Kimmel Orchard, rows upon rows of different types of apples. Just to the east of this picture we found a flock of wild (?) turkeys in hopes of eating some fallen ones off the ground...I assume!

We brought home between 10-11 lbs of apples for $11, about 25 apples, half of which are gone. The only maddening thing about the place is the lack of signage for where you can go, and the fact that I had two bags (that they provide) and they both broke because they weren't waxed! Paper bag with wet apples through the bottom = one annoyed mamma. Luckily I had an old canvas bag in the car, but they were pretty stringent on their bags being used. Humph. I was very glad we went and we all had a good time, but be sure to bring a bushel basket or a reusable grocery tote in the car just in case!

Fore more information and driving directions go to their website, and check out all the types of apples grown there during the year. They also have vineyards and plenty of other fruits in the summer...wish I had known that! We'll go back probably once more before the year is out...with canvas bag in hand.

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