Waves of people of all ages wander around with bright red and green baskets. They disappear into a maze of trees, and we follow them in search of edible jewels. It’s apple picking time!
I can see visiting an apple orchard becoming an annual tradition for us. We’ve now been to Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC the last 2 years (click here to view photos from our last visit in 2011). Here are some photos from our second trip…
The weather report was great for Saturday – sunny and warm but not too hot.
This year, we had a new strategy. Get donuts first (get apples later). I think it worked because the line seemed to be shorter.
Hot, apple cider donuts.
Heaven. I could have sat on this bench with this view (and hot donuts only about 20 feet away) all day.
But, we didn’t stay too long. We had apples to pick!
Of the apples ready for picking, we decided to look for the Jonagolds, which a guy at the stand told me were most like gala (my favorite).
Don’t you love my (not so) stylish apple-picking outfit? I remembered that it was pretty dusty at the orchard last year, and therefore black probably wasn’t the best choice. I’ll tell you, I was definitely happy to have these jeans (my sister’s from high school) and boots when I saw all the yellow jackets around, hovering around the fallen apples all along the ground.
We ended up bringing home about 15 Jonagolds, 4 Cortlands, and 15 gala apples. So, needless to say, I’ve been cooking and baking up a storm trying to think of good apple recipes. I have 3 successes that I’m going to try to share asap. Stay tuned for details! I think the dessert that can also be served for breakfast will be up first. 😉
For dinner, we had a festive beer and…
…burgers – with fries and steamed broccolini.
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Just like the Greek festival, I shot some video, but I haven’t been able to put it together just yet. I’ve been researching up a storm on Creative Commons licensing and looking for good music for my videos (does anyone else out there use CC music?). I have an exciting video-related project that is in idea-phase right now, but will hopefully, turn into a cool result.
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Thanks so much for reading!
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Reader question: What’s your favorite type of apple?
OH! I love apple picking! That second picture? Wow, gorgeous! Apple cider donuts are a favorite of mine when we do get to go apple picking. Looks like you guys had a really good time!
I thought about getting some cider to go, but I don’t think hubby is big on it. We probably should have just gotten a cup while we were there! I think they serve it hot or cold. 🙂
Their cider isn’t what most people normally think of as cider… it’s not spiced — just apples. This years wasn’t as good as last years, I don’t think, but its very good. My son likes the cider slushes, but I prefer it just ice cold.
I can’t wait to apple picking this fall! scored a really good deal on living social a few weeks ago.
Nice! Have fun, Trang! 🙂
My favorite type of apple is the Stayman Winesap. You should try at least one! They are in my opinion, the best kind of apples. They are a combination of tart and sweet and very crispy/crunchy when you bite into them. They are a slightly faded red color. OMG – I can not wait until mid-October when they are in season. I love those.
I must have asked this question before, because I think you’ve said that before. lol. I’m going to have to look for this in a couple weeks! 🙂
“Edible jewels”… I love your wording. Sounds so poetic and descriptive! :o)
I’ve never had an apple cider doughnut. Must be missing out on somethng akin to divine. Sure sounds like it… ;o)
Thanks, Bettie!
Apple cider doughnuts are SO good! I hope you get to try one soon. Yum!
When I was growing up, we used to go here every year over labor day weekend. We went this year about two weeks after they opened for picking… We got half galas (usually my favorite) and half honeycrisps… the galas were somewhat disappointing this year and they also didn’t store as well… but the honeycrisps were very good.
My absolute favorite though comes out (strangly) in March… around then, start looking for Lady Alice apples in the supermarkets… they won’t be around long, but get some while they are. They are incredible!
Honeycrisps are awesome, too!
I’m going to have to look for this elusive Lady Alice apple. I think I’ve seen this once before, because I was looking at apples at the healthy food store, and the lady restocking produce told me to get one because they wouldn’t last. 🙂
Do you guys still go to Sky Top?
I hadn’t been back since I was a kid until last year, when I talked my wife into driving up. I think it’s already a new family tradition. 🙂