Monday, October 18, 2010

Oak Glen Outing

Every year we try to make it to Oak Glen, which is a small mountain community only about 50 minutes from where we live.  It is most known for their many apple orchards.  In the fall it draws thousands for apple picking and other festivities.  We always try to time it so that we can enjoy cool weather along with our apple picking.  This time we did it.  I woke up yesterday morning to a light rain and cool temps.
As you can see, it was still dark outside, as I was up extra early, thinking about my daughter Erika, who was running her very first 1/2 marathon in Long Beach that morning.  She did great by the way.  2 1/2 hrs, no stopping!  And that with minimal training.  Ahhh youth!!  Congrats to Eri!
I brewed my coffee, and got to enjoy my very first of the season........PUMPKIN SPICE creamer, my FAVORITE!!!
So, off we went later that morning to meet up with our oldest daughter Gennifer and family for the short ride to the apple orchards.
The girls were excited and ready to go.  They chattered and giggled the whole way up the mountain.
We got lucky despite big crowds, to find a good parking spot, and arrived just before the biggest crowds arrived.

 
So we bought our hay ride tickets first, then ordered our bbq tri tip lunch and sat down to enjoy it just as a great little blue grass band set up to play.
 This band was incredible!  They were siblings, ages 12 to 17.  The lead singer and fiddle player, was 12 years old.  He was so good.  What fun to listen to them play while we ate.  After lunch, we went on a tractor driven hay ride through the farms and orchards. 
This is a 1942 tractor.  I want one!  Over the meadow, and through the woods...............
Past corn rows, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms.

 
Claire got a little fussy and sat with Gamma.  Her wet sucker on my shoulder!!!  But I didn't care.  She is such a cuddler!
After the hay ride, Hannah wanted to feed the animals at the petting zoo.
By then, the kids were getting pretty tired so while they sat in the car with Geeps and Daddy, Gennifer and I went inside to purchase our pressed cider and crumb top apple pie, and caramel apples!!!!  I didn't get a picture of that!  The store was a zoo!!  So after a little rest, we went on over across the road to go apple picking.
Hannah really enjoyed doing this!!  Here she is, apple bag in hand, waiting to head up the hill.
Just as we were about to begin, a huge cloud drifted over the mountain and we were in a cold foggy mist.  It was so pretty!
Hannah especially loved the apple picking!  She would spot the perfect apple, and Daddy would hoist her up to pick it!
The PERFECT apple!!   So proud!
Little Claire had a different approach.  She favored scooping the apples right off the ground. 
We tried to get some family photos....
Impossible!!!  But we still got some great photos!
Flowers, ladybugs, pumpkins, corn, apples, clouds on the mountain....
See you tomorrow for photos from  our last stop in apple country. 
So be sure to come on back.

15 comments:

Katie said...

Awe such cute photos and looks like quite a fun day trip for apple picking!!
I bet someone has an apple pie baking in the oven today :)

Kristi said...

Awe, that was super cute! Looks like so much fun, my Mom and I were just talking about going up there this year with the kiddos. It'll be my girls' first time and I haven't been there in forever. Great pics Kris!

Anonymous said...

Looks fun.

P.s I would not call 7 months minimal training lol I trained long & hard silly.

Debbie said...

I LOVE that place...You have inspired me...maybe next week-end. Have a wonderful day Kris.

~Niki~ said...

~looks like you all had such a great time!
There's not much of that stuff where we live, bummer.
Your dd looks like a model!
Gorgeous grandkids :)
hugs.
niki

NanaNor's said...

What a fun day with family-apples, country setting, music and the most important thing-family, especially grands(how could you want anything else. Love the family photos as well-they are adorable and I love that you were snuggling with your little granddaughter.
Have a wonderful evening.

Linda said...

Looks like you had a great time...I'm ready for another trip...this time with my sons!

Charlee said...

You were out in my neck of the woods! I live 10min away from Oak Glen. Sounds like you had a great trip!

Genn said...

Fun times. You posted some cute pics. Glad you guys could come with us. The girls had a blast.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Awww what better way to spend a fall day! JUST PERFECT! And those two little cuties - well I am sure you don't mind those snuggles at all!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Oh Kris, this looks like the most perfect family fall day! What great photos!

Amy said...

That looks like fun. We haven't made it up there this year. Hopefully soon...I like to go when it's cooler too:) You got some really cute pictures!

Lauri said...

I have such good memories of Oak Glen. It was an annual trek for our family too. Have you ever had their apple donuts? Just saying it makes my mouth water. Sounds like a fun day.
ps contrats to Erika... I REALLY wish I were a runner but I can hardly run to the corner.

Ginger Patches said...

You have such a beautiful family!! What a great place. We go to Julian for our apple picking. Haven't done it in awhile, I think I need grandbabies :)

Pam said...

What a fun day! I love that picture of you cuddling with Claire.