A couple of weeks ago, I drove up to Volcan Valley Apple Farm located in Julian, California. My Mom wanted to pick the last of her favorite apples before the season ended and Saturday was the last day to do so. She and my Dad have always been avid apple pickers, and usually came home from Julian with three or four bags. Throughout the month of September, our kitchen became a treasure trove of green and red goodies that I greedily snacked on whenever I could.
As my boyfriend and I wove our way through the mountains in his Jeep Wrangler-my parents drove separately- we were greeted with rocky formations and vibrant greenery.
If you don't mind messy hair, roll down your car window so that you can see everything. Before we headed out, we took off the Jeep's top cover and the backseat windows. The sight of the sky with streaks of wispy, white clouds was well worth it. I like air conditioning as much as the next person, but who can resist the fresh smell of outside air?
We rumbled up to Volcan Valley Apple Farm about 30-45 minutes later, and proceeded to squeeze into a small space between two cars.
It was heartening to see that the excitement of apple picking hadn't died out, despite it being the last day and all. Visitors milled around the entrance of the orchard with their bags of freshly picked apples, and several others lounged in the shade of the Menghini Winery that sat a stone's throw away.
As my boyfriend and I wove our way through the mountains in his Jeep Wrangler-my parents drove separately- we were greeted with rocky formations and vibrant greenery.
If you don't mind messy hair, roll down your car window so that you can see everything. Before we headed out, we took off the Jeep's top cover and the backseat windows. The sight of the sky with streaks of wispy, white clouds was well worth it. I like air conditioning as much as the next person, but who can resist the fresh smell of outside air?
We rumbled up to Volcan Valley Apple Farm about 30-45 minutes later, and proceeded to squeeze into a small space between two cars.
It was heartening to see that the excitement of apple picking hadn't died out, despite it being the last day and all. Visitors milled around the entrance of the orchard with their bags of freshly picked apples, and several others lounged in the shade of the Menghini Winery that sat a stone's throw away.
The bags we received went for $12 each, which if you think about it, is actually not a bad price for the amount of apples we got. These apples aren't the typical grocery store ones that are bigger than your fist, however. They are usually small or medium-sized at best. But once you bite into one of the orchard's apples, you can immediately taste its delicious crispness. And don't be shy to munch on a couple along the way; you can eat as much as you'd like.
Be warned, these are organic apples. In other words, they usually have not been sprayed with chemicals! As we walked around, looking for trees that had not yet been plucked clean, I picked apples that, to my dismay, had been the dinner of birds and worms, not to mention the homes of some very agitated spiders.
Case in point, I lifted one juicy looking apple up to my face, only to see some spider waving his legs angrily at me. It was the tiniest spider you had ever seen. But, it was a spider.
So I threw the apple with all my might into the dirt.
That was probably not one of my best moments.
Be warned, these are organic apples. In other words, they usually have not been sprayed with chemicals! As we walked around, looking for trees that had not yet been plucked clean, I picked apples that, to my dismay, had been the dinner of birds and worms, not to mention the homes of some very agitated spiders.
Case in point, I lifted one juicy looking apple up to my face, only to see some spider waving his legs angrily at me. It was the tiniest spider you had ever seen. But, it was a spider.
So I threw the apple with all my might into the dirt.
That was probably not one of my best moments.
Apple orchards are also a great place for family outings. There is nothing as cute as seeing kids dressed in country outfits, carrying little wicker baskets filled with apples. Their parents seemed to be having a field day as well, taking several photos and videos of their little ones on their first apple picking adventure.
Unfortunately, since it was the last day, many of the aisles had already been closed. But we filled our bags to the best of our ability, and had an absolute blast doing so.
I still haven't been able to finish it!
Unfortunately, since it was the last day, many of the aisles had already been closed. But we filled our bags to the best of our ability, and had an absolute blast doing so.
I still haven't been able to finish it!
I wanted nothing more than a good excuse to wear my "cowboy" hat that I received as a birthday present last month. Going to the mountains was reason enough. I had been wanting one for a while, after my old one got crushed, trampled, and worn dry. It still hands on a coat hanger in my garage, looking absolutely spent.
The brim is wide enough to shield your face and the back of your neck, making it a great hat to wear on those days where the sun is determined to give you a really nasty sunburn. It fits pretty snugly, but the band doesn't drain the blood from my head.
The brim is wide enough to shield your face and the back of your neck, making it a great hat to wear on those days where the sun is determined to give you a really nasty sunburn. It fits pretty snugly, but the band doesn't drain the blood from my head.
Outfit: Scala Shapeable Toyo Western Straw Hat ($38.00-currently on sale), sundress (similar one here).
Even though apple season is over, there's always next year to look forward to. Tell me all about your own apple picking adventure in the comments below!