No U-Pick Apples

Yesterday was the day we had planned to go apple picking.  We go every year to the orchards in Oak Glen, CA which is about an hour and a half from our home.  We picked this day because last year we went on October 22 and it was such a beautiful day with lots of apples that we wanted to go as close to that date this year. 

We drove up excited about the apples we'd come home with and talking about what we would do with our apples.  As we approached the farm that we always go to, we noticed the sign outside that read, "No U-Pick Apples Today."  What?  Why?  Robert went and asked the guy and he said there were no apples and he didn't think any of the farms had U-Pick but said we should check anyway.  We drove up a little ways to another farm and the same sign greeted us.  With no apples to pick, what the heck were we supposed to do?

We decided to drive to Hudson's Snowline Orchard for some tasty apple cider donuts.  We pulled in and noticed that the trees in the orchard were so green.  Last year at the same time, the colors had begun to change and you could see that it was fall.  This year however, things hadn't started changing yet.  We waited in line for our delicious donuts and then sampled some cider and tasted some different varieties of apples.  I picked up some cider donut mix to bring home and we walked out to listen to some music while we enjoyed our donuts. 

We found out that the apple season this year was extremely short.  I guess with the late spring, early summer snowfalls, all the blossoms on the trees were lost.  Goes to show you can't judge apple picking by the previous year.  Next year, we'll call to make sure there are lots of apples and go a little earlier.

Then we drove up to Riley's at Los Rios Ranch.  This is where we usually eat lunch after picking apples.  Since it was still early, we decided to walk around inside the shop and sample some different jellies, butters and sauces.  So many goodies but I decided to buy a jar of Apple Butter.  Since we didn't pick any apples, this year we decided to let the kids make their own Apple Cider.  They got to fill a bucket with apples, wash them and put them in a press and turn the crank till all the apples were gone.  Then they turned the wheel that presses the juice out of the apples until there was no more juice.  They ended with a gallon of cider.

After all the cider making, it was time to lay out the blankets in the shade and eat lunch.  The kids tossed around a football and we just relaxed for a good while.  Nothing like being outdoors with nature and enjoying all the different people.  I love people watching!  After all the relaxing, we headed across the street to the corn maze.  A person can get lost forever with all those stalks.  Something about being in a corn field that feels kinda eery.  Alyssa and I just stopped and listened to the sounds corn field makes.  I wouldn't want to be in one at night that's for sure.

All in all it was a good day. We didn't get to pick our apples but we spent time together and had fun anyway. I came home and baked up some biscuits and spread some of that apple butter on them and it was so good.