I spent some time on one of our recent sunshiny fall days at an apple orchard (Apple Jack Orchards in Delano, MN).
The weather was beautiful and that, combined with the rural setting and sights and smells of the orchards, made for a relaxing, yet invigorating, day.
I decided to snap some pics while I was there so that I could share a mini tour with you.
The Apple Orchard Tour
Outdoors there were the orchards that you would expect to see, of course, with a nice variety of apple trees. (Even if you don’t want to pick apples, which I didn’t that day, they’re just enjoyable to see.)
But it turns out there are plenty of other things to do at Apple Jack orchards, besides picking apples, and this cute little chalkboard sign summed it up nicely.
Pumpkins, gourds and squash were also in abundance, and the pumpkin display on this old wagon was a picture just begging to be taken.
There were a nice variety of activities available for the kiddos, too – everything from giant hay bales with slides, face painting, climbing tires and pony rides to corn pits and apple cannons.
Kit, orchard manager, said that in addition to kids that come with their families, quite a few schools also schedule fall fields trips for their classes.
I didn’t get a picture of them, but there were the cutest little goats over by this tiny house.
Venturing inside, I found the Apple Market with a variety of apples with cute little chalkboard signs to identify them. You could bag your own from the boxes or they also had refrigerated bags of apples.
And baked goods? Oh my. All kinds of deliciousness, both fresh and frozen, as well as caramel apples and a variety of other goodies.
Of course I had to indulge a little…
The apple turnover turned out to be my favorite (SO. GOOD.), but it’s possible that there were actually squeals of delight when I showed up at the Plymouth store with Apple Cinnamon Donuts! (Kit said that the donuts are also a customer favorite.)
Apple orchard or wherever, design details always catch my eye. This trip was no different.
Like the interesting character and texture in this stone wall that is part of the Apple Pantry Cafe and Bakery. (And the color of the rustic window that peeks through to the Old Barn Gift Shop certainly looks like it could be Marsala, doesn’t it?)
All in all, it was a great time and I’ll definitely be doing it again – hopefully before this Fall is over!
Have you been to the apple orchards yet this year, or will you be going?
I have not been there yet this year, but I did take a friend and her daughter last year! Turned out that Anna was a great shot with the apple cannon. She even beat the boys! :-)) Fun place for sure!