Apple Picking 2010

On the way home from our annual trip to the apple orchard last weekend Drew joked that this is one family tradition we have yet to get right.  It's true. 

I guess our first attempt back in 2008 was a success, but it was pre-Jackson so it doesn't really count as a family outing.  My sister was in town for last year's trip but we were a bit late in the season so the crop was pretty picked over.  This year was another so-so attempt.  I should have known karma wasn't on our side when I learned our usual orchard (Fieldstone Enterprises in Overbrook) had lost their entire crop to a fungus this year.  Not to be thwarted, I discovered another orchard that looked worthy of trying, despite it being about an hour away.

Turns out we were, once again, a little late.  Red Delicious were the only apples they were picking and while the trees were plentiful, it's just not my favorite variety.  They'll suffice for pie making though, so I'll get busy restocking my frozen pie supply in the next couple of weeks.  Fortunately, there were some Jonathan's available for sale in the country store (which was pretty cute, by the way - full of jams, jellies, nuts, fruit and wine) so I was able to come home with a small bag for our snacking pleasure. 

Perhaps the biggest hit of the day were the ducks.  There was a cute little play area complete with swing set, slide and duck pond next to the store. 

Jackson was much more impressed with that part of the trip than the apples.  We even bought duck food (for a whopping 25 cents out of a gum ball machine) and let him feed the ducks.

It was still a fun day, despite coming home with significantly fewer apples than we intended. 

Here's to hoping the 3rd time is a charm and next year we'll get the timing right!