A Trip to the Orchard

 Is visiting the orchard in the fall a midwest thing? Or is it done all over the U.S.? Whatever the answer, it is a yearly tradition that I love. One of my favorite times of the year, autumn is so beautiful, and going to the orchard is a great way to spend a fall afternoon.

This was our first year going with a little one in tow! Wyatt is still a bit young to appreciate it, but I think he still had fun, although I think he was a bit bewildered by the whole experience. He was taking it all in, wide-eyed with wonderment it seemed the whole time we were there. 

The hay certainly threw him for a loop!!

We went to Bennett's Orchard in Ottawa Lake, MI. We have been on the lookout for a non-gimmicky, simple orchard for a while, and we found this place last year. It is not very big, and has the apple orchard, produce including the all-important pumpkins and apples, doughnuts, cider, and a few other things for sale. And that is about it! It is quaint and quiet, not overrun with too many people or games or bounce houses or karaoke or whatever else some places do these days. It is just good plain old-fashioned fun.

Last year they added hard cider to their line of products, and this year they had a few more to try. Billy and I of course had to try them! I love hard cider and only drink it in the fall, and Bennett's is doing a great job with their versions. They have three varieties, the Dust Bowl, Crisp Apple Crisp, and Broken Barrel. We ended up buying a bottle of the Broken Barrel and a pint of the Dust Bowl, which I compared to champagne, but a cidery champagne. Lol. 

The prices were fair - and the pears delicious! 

  

We took a ton of photos - I am a bit of a shutterbug and am blessed with a baby who doesn't mind posing - for now! We will see how he likes it in a few months!

Please do not use photos without my permission. Thanks! :)

A Visit to the Apple Orchard

Last Saturday was one of those glorious fall days - warm, but not too warm, a slight breeze, and sunny. You could wear fall clothes without being uncomfortable. So my hubs and I layered up in our flannel shirts and headed to the orchard and cider mill. 

This is a big time of the year in Michigan. Cider mills compete for your business, and there are so many orchards and mills to choose from. Lists of "the best" orchards are listed in every publication, print and online. My family started patronizing a particular orchard/cider mill when I was just a little tiny girl, but over the years, it has become too commercialized for me. They have vendors, booths, bounce houses, a band, among other things. Another local cider mill even charges $20 before you even get in! They have a haunted house and a bunch of attractions, in addition to the orchard itself. Not for us. So for the past few years, we have been searching for that perfect orchard. One that is peaceful, that has an orchard, cider mill, pumpkins, and of course doughnuts, but without the hoopla and fanfare. And this year, we finally found it. 

This place finally had the country charm we were hoping for. All the good stuff, just the simple pleasure of just visiting the orchard.

After exclaiming over the vast variety of colors on the porch (well I did), we wandered back into the orchard.

How could we not keep going? So we did.

And found pumpkins hanging out in their field.

After poking around a bit, we decided it was doughnut time, and headed back to the storefront.

We finished our visit by enjoying a delicious doughnut and a cup of warm coffee. Dale Cooper would be proud! We are going to be visiting again really soon, as we bought a bag of apples, but decided it was too early to purchase pumpkins. I am looking forward to our return trip! (and another doughnut.)




Please note: All photos belong to me. Please do not use for any purpose without permission.