We made our annual trip to Eckert's farm in Belleville, IL today to pick apples. It was a perfect fall day (unlike last year when it was 90 degrees -- or our first year when it was really cold!) -- a bit chilly in the early morning and in the shade and just warm enough in the sun. The apples were good (last year they were terrible, but we still bought them for some reason...), though a little beat up from an April hailstorm, and the company was even better. We skipped the pumpkins this year since it's a little early in the season. They would either rot or the squirrels would eat them by Halloween!
This is hands down one of my favorite activities of the year. I think it is becoming one of the girls' favorites too. Eckert's has done an amazing job of turning the orchard into a true destination and not "just" an orchard. There is so much to do there and we haven't even explored the kid area with rides and animals yet! It's always fun to walk through the nursery and look for good deals on end-of-the-season plants and wander through the market and try out the samples. This year my sister's family and ours picked up lunch at the deli counter and headed outside for a picnic lunch. They have all kinds of concessions outside now too -- a bbq stand, a funnel cake stand, a custard stand... not to mention the country restaurant (which we rarely go to simply because the wait is so long and we usually forget to put our names in before we pick apples). They have even put in a little play area for the kids near the picnic tables and a stage for live music. It is just such a great vibe.
pre-picking -- they are so smart at Eckert's they even have all kinds of "photo" spots like this tractor set up for people to take pictures and then tag on Facebook as being at Eckert's. Free advertising! Very clever.
tractor ride!
taste testing straight from the tree is the best!
getting a lesson on corn from dad and grandpa
lunch!
it was a little chilly in the shade for ice cream -- but well worth it, I'm sure!
time to play
the day wouldn't be complete without a little hula-hooping :)
So happy fall is officially here!
