How about them apples?!

Well, our trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch did not unfold quite the way we had planned. This annual family outing is perhaps the one we all look forward to the most. DH is not much of a holiday person, but October is one month he truly loves. He loves the autumn colors and crisp air as do I. He's a Halloween freak and really gets into the spirit of things, not so much around Christmastime...which is my favorite season. So anyway, we had planned on setting out early on Saturday morning to beat some of the crowds. Well, our little angel decided she was going to be naughty. She was given several chances to correct her behavior and unfortunately she kept sneaking around and not following directions.

DH felt that it would be rewarding her naughty behavior if we took her to the pumpkin patch. I really wanted to find an alternative punishment so we could go as a family. We thought okay, we'll postpone the trip until Sunday to give her a second chance. I guess she didn't get it and continued to break the rules. DH had enough and he ultimately convinced me that he was right. He stayed home with her and so just N and I went mid Saturday afternoon.

When N and I got to Oregon Heritage Farms we realized that once again we hit their fundraising weekend. The positive thing about this is that all proceeds benefit a local high school's ski team and there's lots to do and eat. The downside is that everything is more expensive and crowded. We always forget about the date, but we just go with it and enjoy ourselves. Some years we time it right, but not this year. So N and I decided to pick out our pumpkin first thing. I should preface this by saying that this farm is primarily an apple orchard business, but has a pumpkin patch as an additional bonus. Anyway, we spent about 5-10 minutes looking around at the different sizes and ultimately found one that was just right. It cost about $7, but was well worth it.

Not sure if it's the homey atmosphere or the honeycrisps, but there is just something about this place that we love. They are a fully operational apple farm, complete with packaging and processing plant, country store, and more. They produce several products in addition to just selling apples. They are open from late August through early November. Autumn is their busiest time due to the harvest. They grow a variety of apples that range from the popular McIntosh and Granny Smiths to the specialties like Honeycrisps and Gravensteins...but I digress.

So anyway, we found our pumpkin and carried it back to the car and then went to eat some lunch. It was after 2pm already, so we were hungry. We each gobbled up our hot dogs and went exploring. N enjoyed the mini farm animal zoo (pigs and sheep only). You can't pet them, but your can ooh and aah to your heart's content. N got really excited when he saw the hay maze. I let him wind around in there for a bit until he got enough of that. Then wanted to go into the covered spooky maze. I realized that one was going to cost and sadly had to say no to that. I wasn't kidding when I said everything costs more on this particular weekend. Usually it's free to do all the extra activities so we have to pick and choose carefully on this one.

Anyhow, he quickly forgot his disappointment when he saw the tractor/trailer return for the hayride. We boarded and realized this wasn't going to be your average hayride. For the next 45 minutes (actually it was longer) the tractor broke down every 20-30 feet. The tour guides did their best to entertain us, but even they couldn't keep it up (they were high school volunteers).

Several people got off and walked back. N and I kept ourselves happy by taking lots of silly pictures and visiting with the other passengers. We tried to stick it out as long as we could, but ended up getting off ourselves. I thought it was a rare opportunity to tour the apple orchard on foot, something they ususally don't allow. We had a good time on the way back and took more pictures.

We were feeling a little tired at that point and both needed a bathroom break. I checked the time and knew we needed to get going soon. Inside the little country store, we bought a bag of honeycrisp apples. If you have never had one of these juicy babies, you are missing out! I am not heavily into apples, but this particular kind is a real treat. Normally, we buy cider, apple potpourri, and some homemade jellies. Things have been a little tight, so we had to forgo the extras. N helped me fill up a big bag of honeycrisps and that was that. On our way out of the store, N spotted the huge apple bouncy house and just had to get his ya-yas out inside there. Then to cap off our trip, we shared a delicious carmel apple on a stick. All it all, it was a wonderful afternoon spent with my son, but just wasn't the same without DH and K. There's always next year I guess.

Nicky with our pumpkin.

Nicky and I in the pumpkin patch.

Nicky exploring the haymaze.

What a view from the owner's house!

These look so good!

How about them apples?!

On our way back through the orchard.

Thank for a great day! We'll be back next year!