Crunchy habits
Since moving to Boston, I am slowly picking up on some of the traditions here. Some more than others of course.
Although I’m not a huge sports fan, I would still love to attend at least 1 Red Sox game at Fenway. Just don’t tell any of my neighbors I don’t watch their games on TV. They may stone us as we leave the house. People are serious about the Red Sox here, serious as a heart attack.
Also as far as the language goes, I’m still fully capable of pronouncing the letter “r.” Yes, I “park my car”, and don’t “pahk my cah” yet. I’m reminded each time I ride the subway that I’m still not a local when the operator announces, “Next stop Hah-vahrd Square” and I’m the only one who has to stop and think, “Huh? Oh! Okay.”
However, there is one tradition that I have latched onto in the 3 years we’ve been here- apple picking. I mean, what’s not to love about strolling around an orchard, eating apples, and taking bushels of fruit home to enjoy for weeks. We have enjoyed it every year, even though there are a few things we could have done without. One, some fruit farms turn apple picking into an opportunistic seasonal event where they charge nearly $50 at the door for gimmicky hayrides, games, and a tiny plastic bag to fill with apples. Two, the seasonal tradition brings droves of people out to orchards on the weekends, congesting traffic and orchard fields. And three, we have yet had the opportunity to try cider donuts. Many of the fruit farms will sell them during apple picking season, but the lines are congested as well.
So this year, I searched for a smaller, more obscure fruit farm where we could go. Particularly somewhere that used little to no pesticides on their fruit.
After sifting through a long list of farms, I found Kimball’s Fruit Farm along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. It was a bit of a hike from Boston, but well worth the drive.
If you look in the distance in the photo above, you can see the rows of apple tress.
Notice, there are no lines of people anywhere. No hayrides. And we brought our own reusable bags.
Not only were the trees here dripping with apples, they were delicious. They sold the apples by the pound at a very reasonable price (cheaper than most supermarkets). All of the fruit is minimally treated, so the apples are not waxy, shiny or perfect.
They are incredibly tasty though.
They also had the largest variety of apples we have found. I usually prefer Fuji apples, but after discovering Spencer’s (a cross between McIntosh and Golden Delicious), I definitely have a new favorite.
It was a beautiful, crisp morning. There were no cider donuts, but a TON of apples were picked as well as consumed along the way…
Lots o’ fiber all around.
Good thing there were no crowds.
Hmmm.. I guess I will blend in perfectly with my accent because my husband always tease me about my non-existing R pronounciation.
The farm looks lovely. We did attempt apple picking once in Georgia but it’s not really fit our area. I imagine going apple picking in sweater in a cool crisp fall weather. We were sweating through the whole thing.
Maybe this year might be better for us. I might have to drive up to North Carolina for better options.
Absolutely love the last picture!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Oh, I am jealous!! That first picture made me want to pack my kids into the car and find an orchard IMMEDIATELY. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:53 am
we love apple orchards too…but it’s freezing here, literally! what hapened to october anyway? back to you…good shots…and the long shot away….just gorgeous!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Hmmmm, I wonder how long it would take us to get there if we left now…
)
What gorgeous surroundings. It really amazes me the kind of feelings places with this intense beauty and serenity evoke in each of us. It’s the purest essence of pleasure –no more, no less.
Just apples and love
Thanks for sharing your beautiful family moment.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:57 am
great photos.as far as getting used to the regional language,you will get it.It took me a while to get used to a different region’s language variations as well.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
That scenery makes me want to cry, it’s so beautiful. Every time I think I’m *okay* with Arizona, something like this pops up and I want to move all over again.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
@Amy- Do you have an accent? I would have never guessed. Apple picking without sweaters actually sounds kind of nice!
@Cecily R- Aw, it is a great family outing.
@a thorn among roses- I KNOW! I’m so glad we went last week. I heard it snowed just 20 minutes away from us! It really is freezing already. I’m kind of bummed it’s so wintry already.
@Carlen- Haha. I think there’s apple picking a bit closer to you than MA
Thanks so much!
@Mike golch- The accent here is pretty unique. I’m not sure if I’ll pick up on it fully myself, but I do enjoy hearing it.
@Natalie- Aw. Arizona has so much beauty of it’s own too I’m sure. And the fact that you’re all not FREEZING right now is pretty awesome
October 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Spencer’s are good – but Honey Crisp are TREMENDOUS!
October 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Ahh that sounds wonderful! I wonder if there’s anything like that around here… I’ll need to look into that.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
It’s great to be in New England in the fall! I love apple picking.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Great pics! We’re supposed to get a pumpkin this weekend if the weather cooperates. It’s funny we used to go apple picking every year whenwe lived in the norheast. it was a tradition that I loved. When I moved to Seattle, I never thought i would have trouble finding apple orchards since WA is known for apples! But no, there are very few u-pick apple orchards here. And the ones I have found are small and wormy and not worth it
I miss the Northeast! I miss the beautiful orchards! The fresh crisp apples! The overflowing bushels that sit in the garage until you have to bake apple pie after pie…
October 16th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Those are great fall pictures:-)
October 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hey, you went apple picking in MY town (seriously, you were 5 miles from my house)!! Woo hoo!! Our school does field trips to Kimball Farm, and the kids love it. Of course we went apple picking where there was a ton of people, hay rides, hay maze, goat feeding… I guess we’re just commercial in that way. BUT, we did down some mighty tasty cider donuts. I can fit a whole one in my mouth in one bite. Expensive and caloric, but oh so tasty.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I always wonder why an apple fresh off a tree tastes so much better than even the ones from farmer’s market. I love that zing as the tartness hits the tounge–oh and the incredible juciness of it. That’s really the only way I enjoy an apple. Loved your post. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Funny, since I’m crunching on an apple while blogging.
I love the pictures. Beautiful scenery.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I grew up down the road from an orchard, friends with the kids who lived there. Every fall they would let us have our fill on apples. It was amazing.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Oh man I miss New England so much and the apples and I just LOVE all the fall harvest festivals all over. It sounds like a wonderful day and so worth the drive. Get yourself some cider doughnuts – they are yummy!
October 16th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
lceel- Next year, I’m hunting those down
Marylin- Definitely look into! Any type of fruit picking is always a blast.
Emily- It’s definitely one of the perks of being here.
Cookie- I’m so surprised to hear that about WA. I hope pumpkin picking turns out to be great! Can’t wait to read about it.
Susie’s homeade- Thanks
Angela at Mommy Bytes- Really? I had a feeling we were near your neck of the woods, but once we were there I though, “no way does she live this far!”
We did the hay ride, mazes, and commercial stuff for the past 2 years. It’s fun, but was brutal on our wallets. We’ll have to head up your way again soon! It’s gorgeous up there. And I am SO jealous of the doughnut.
Kaye- We really tasted the difference this year.
Maria @ conversations with mom- What a coincidence
Thanks.
Cara- Oh that sounds like a great place to grow up!
Brittany at mommy words- Fall harvest festivals are great
I’m a little sad to see it so cold here already though. I definitely need to find those doughnuts!
October 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
That place looks gorgeous! We’re planning to do some apple picking soon but it’s hard to get in the mood when it’s 92 degrees outside (no joke).
Um, what are cider donuts? Cuz they sound goooood!
October 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Looks like a perfect orchard. We went last weekend and the fields were congested and we spent about $50 for apples, donuts, and pumpkins.
October 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Beautiful and yummy!
When we moved to Arkansas people thought I had an accent. I thought, “Are you people serious?! I came from only 300 miles away…”
October 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I remember your apple pictures from last year. These are just gorgeous!
October 16th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Skiplovey- Can we borrow some of that warmth? Cider doughnuts are doughnuts made with apple cider. They have them at most apple orchards and you can smell them from miles away as the come out of fryolators *drool*…BUT we haven’t tried them yet. The lines are always way too long.
Secret mom thoughts- That sounds exactly like our apple picking experience the last 2 years.
Undercover princess- That’s crazy!
Genny- Thanks so much.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Your photos are beautiful.
I had my first cider doughnuts experience last weekend. I am allergic to wheat and the line was insane but I did it anyway and it was totally worth it. Bought apples and cider and picked raspberries and where has this been all my life?
October 16th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
What a FUN tradition!! I wish we could do that around here!
October 16th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
cool! no apples to be picked here apparently but there are persimmons! never had ‘em but willing to try! it threw me off to see babisodes in all those clothes considering tomorrow will be the first day since i’m sure march that the high has been in the 70s!! 75! Can’t wait!!! rotfl @ still fully capable of pronouncing the letter “r.” hilarious! in pittsburgh people knew it was time to go when they said, “Yinz gahn dahntahn n’at?” instead of “Are you going downtown?” Lolololol. MESS! I didn’t reach that point but left anyway!
October 16th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
We don’t mind going a little farther to go apple picking here. There are no hayrides or wooden structures to climb on. Yes, there are delicious apple donuts. The trees are dwarf and the kids can pick them easily. We also bring the wagon and pick pumpkins. Everyone has a great time.
By the way, honeycrisp apples make a delicious pie too.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I lived in Boston for almost ten years… and loved it. What a great place, especially in the fall. I can’t tell you how much I miss it, not only the city but the beautiful places in the burbs. Rockport, Salem, Newburyport, Plymouth… just one great day trip after another! Sigh.
PS- Great blog design… off to explore.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
How fun! We love apple-picking. It’s always a long drive, but worth it!
October 16th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Gorgeous photos, Sandy! I missed apple picking this year, glad to have experienced it through you eyes!
October 16th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Wow, that place is beautiful, and there is hardly anyone in sight! How fun to have had that place to yourselves!!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Beautiful photos! Thanks for visiting my blog.
I miss the change of seasons. I’m in FL and we have green season and brown season LOL
October 16th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Thanks! You now have me craving an apple.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I have always wanted to see the East in the fall. I have heard the fireworks of trees are breathtaking. Your pictures are so tantalizing! And the apples sound heavenly! If I am ever out there in the fall, I will have to find that farm and try the tradition of apple picking. Here in the west we have pumpkin patches. I don’t know if you have them as well, but they are pretty gimicky. Perfect for a two year old, though.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Sounds like a perfect day!
I’ve never been apple picking, but we can pick up some while on wlaks in Germany.
There are usually a few apple trees in most country sites (well, where I come from).
October 17th, 2009 at 2:37 am
I love Golden Delicious apples. Mmm. I don’t think we have any apple-picking farms around here. Bummer! That sounds like such a perfect fall tradition.
October 17th, 2009 at 5:30 am
Oh, that sounds like such an awesome place. Yum!
October 17th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Apple picking in the fall is the absolute best. Love the pics.
October 17th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Fall. You guys have fall.
You may not have ‘r’s, but I’m still jealous.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:53 am
BF is a serious Red Sox fan. We almost can’t leave the house whenver the team is playing and winning.
October 17th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
That looks awesome! I keep meaning to take Ali to one of the Pumpkin Patches around (no apple orchards in these parts), but I haven’t had time…
October 17th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Beautiful shots! I love apple picking, too…no cider donuts, oh no!!
I can’t wait till it stops raining here in NJ so I can get jpeg memories of the FALL! I just searched all my files and I have all seasons but no “fall” …so hopefully this year!
Have a great week…
October 17th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I’m so jealous! It looks beautiful there. I remember your post about apple picking from last year and can’t believe that much time has passed already. Very cool tradition.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Oh that sounds SO HEAVENLY.
And the pictures are breathtaking!
October 17th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
That first photo is absolutely, blow-me-away gorgeous. I love it! It looks like it was an absolutely amazing day!
October 17th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I lived in VA for 7 years and I still haven’t been apple-picking. I deserve to be smacked! Don’t have that chance in CA now!
October 18th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Oh I would really love to go apple picking!
October 18th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I bet I would love Spencer’s, as MacIntosh is my absolute favorite apple.
You know what might be fun? One of those Christmas tree lots where you tag and cut your own. Have you guys done that?
October 18th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
That last photography is beautiful.. I love how sweet it is.. Sounds like a GREAT day..
October 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
That place looks beautiful! And my husband introducted me to Fujis — yum! But have you heard of Honeycrisps??? Even better!
And let me tell you, Apple Cider Donuts (done right) are worth whatever wait you need to wait in!! : )
October 18th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
We go apple picking in Mich. it is soooo good!
October 18th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Fuji’s are my favorite!! I have still yet to try a cider donut, but I hear they are delicious.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I haven’t picked apples or any other fruit for a good many years. However, I spent many an autumn day in the orchard in my youth. You bring back wonderful memories of cold, crisp apples and fresh cider.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:09 am
we dont hv the chance to pick our own apples except in the market! i still prefer south african’s apples coz they are really sweet although they dont look ‘nice’ on the outlook
October 19th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Yum! I wish we had apple orchards around here, but alas the desert has no fall and therefore no apples. Beautiful pictures, I’m glad you had a great time!
October 19th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
That looks absolutely beautiful!! I’m so jealous, I have yet to find anything like that around here. (As a kid we used to pick apples every fall…)
As for a Red Sox game, you NEED to go! Even if you aren’t a big fan. That was on my “Big List” (Think bucket list, but pre-movie) and my husband took me there three years ago for our anniversary! He hates baseball, but the atmosphere at the game turned him into a Red Sox fan!!
October 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
AWESOME pics!!!!!!!!! And a much more relaxing time than the game. And cheaper. And prettier!
October 19th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Wow, that sounds like a great family activity. The place looks great, and the pictures too. I’m sure you had a blast. I’d like to try that someday. Sadly apples don’t grow in my country. Bananas, maybe…or coconuts.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Your apple-picking habit takes me back to my childhood when we used to pick apples at Cornell University’s apple orchard. In winter, they’d open the orchard for people wanting to harvest dead apple branches and we’d fill the trunk with logs for the fireplace.
Now that I live in an even more rural town, it seems I should be picking apples rather than buying them already picked. I’m afraid if I pick my own, I’ll end up with an overwhelming amount of apples at once and many will spoil before my family has eaten them or I’ve canned them as applesauce.
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October 26th, 2009 at 8:13 am