Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Apple Picking at Mountain Orchard

When Kyle was a newborn, I was looking for something to do that would keep Julien busy for an hour or 2, and be relatively easy to do with a baby.  It was the fall, and a friend invited us apple picking. It seemed like a great idea, something I hadn't done since I was a kid.

One of my favorite memories is going apple picking with my parents.  We actually went to this same orchard (which I didn't know until my return on the first trip with the boys). I don't eat the skin on apples (makes me gag) and my mom had brought a knife with her to peel my apples - because there is nothing like eating an apple freshly picked from the tree.

Off we went to Mountain Orchards - and our 2 oldest boys had a blast, while Kyle and her baby slept peacefully while snuggled close to us in wraps/carriers. Thus, created our tradition. Every September, the 2 families go apple picking at Mountain orchards.



In addition to the orchard, they have a hay jump, corn mazes and a few other child friendly activities - best part? It is all FREE! The only thing you pay for is what you buy! If you pick apples, they have 2 bag sizes to choose from; once you get to the "store" you have your pick of the most delicious apple cider donuts (one of the reasons I am willing to drive 35 minutes to get their!), apple cider, apple jellies and apple pies!

This year, there was a new addition as our friends had their 3rd child in the spring! The 4 older kids had an absolute blast, and we got to enjoy watching them climbing the ladders to pick the apples - they have grown so much since our first trip 2 years ago!

We haven't done the corn maze yet - I think we will wait until next year and judge to see if the kids would like it or not!

Do you go apple picking? Is there a specific orchard you go to?

22 comments:

  1. I love Apple Picking! What a great tradition you guys have. We've taken the kids the past two years. It's such a great feeling and the kids have a blast. We usually go to one of our local farms and it includes hay rides, face painting, warm cider and hot chocolate. I'm debating on going this weekend or next since it's officially Fall this weekend I know they will be packed! ;)

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  2. This is something I've never actually done and am going to do this weekend if it isn't raining with my kids! They love going pumpkin picking so I know they'll have a blast doing this :)

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  3. Oh I can't wait to take my kids apple picking this year! One of my favourite things about fall: apple picking and pumpkins!

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  4. Every year we head to the apple barn with our kids, pick some apples, sip on cider and then head out to the pumpkin fields. It's a blast and family tradition that we go.

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  5. We just went to Mountain Orchard this weekend too! I loved every minute of it but especially the fact that it was free! The kids loved the hail pile and eating the apples straight off the tree, lol!

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  6. our boys love the pumpkin patch but we are looking for an orchard for this year too. I love that your mom brought a knife so you could still have a peeled apple, that is so sweet!

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    1. the patch we used to go to burnt down 2 years ago, and we haven't found a good replacement yet. Hoping to find somethign this year

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  7. No apple orchards around here but we just went to the pumpkin farm and I think that's going to be our new fall tradition (complete with corn maze as well).

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    1. that's too bad - we have a number in this area....looking forward to the pumpkin patch in a few weeks too!

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  8. I love apple picking... I have been looking for some here in GTA so we can continue our tradition of picking apples.

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    1. we have so many orchards to choose from around here....

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  9. I went last week, isn't it great. The donuts are the best. Posting about it tonight. We should coordinate next year.

    Besos, Sarah
    Zookeeper at Journeys of The Zoo

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    1. too funny that we were both there...I wonder if it was the same day?

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  10. I hope we can get to the orchard this year. Warm apple fritters!!

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  11. Apple picking is a tradition! I can't wait to go and we will make apple goodies! Cute pic by the way!

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