Back for more...

apples, that is. Yesterday the three of us headed for Anderson Orchard for our second visit...with many, many more to come I'm sure. We pulled up the gravel drive to the huge open barn and I could just feel any leftover stress just melting away. Once inside the barn we ordered two apple slushes (to die for...delicious) and two nut-crusted caramel apples before we headed out for some u-pickin'. We sat down and all devoured our little treats - it was MUCH warmer than it was the last time we'd visited in the Fall of last year, but it was a gorgeous day.

We piled in the car and began our drive through the HUGE orchard, choosing the red raspberries first.

McKinley designated himself as the holder of the raspberry bucket, which held true during the entire visit, we all dove into the bushes (though carefully...STICKERS!). I'm pleased to report that we scored 2 and a half pounds of gorgeous, ripe red raspberries. The bushes went on for what seemed like miles. Acres and acres, rows and rows of raspberries!

Soon we were back in the car driving through the orchard, trying to choose our apple varieties. We chose Galas, Honey Crisps and Mollies Delicious. And were they good? WOW. We each sampled an apple - who can resist? - and took turns picking some of these beauties.

McKinley loved twisting the apples on their stems and giving them a gentle pull. We ended up with a full peck of apples! What a steal at $7...I'll pay that for the stress-removing qualities of the entire experience alone!

Once we were finished, we headed back to the barn for a GIANT (seriously...GIANT...2 feet long) watermelon and some popping corn and a promise to return very soon for some wonderful pumpkins! ...and probably more apples....and raspberries!

This was the perfect way to spend the afternoon with my family.

Lynn

P.S. Below: McKinley's own photography! Not bad, eh?!