Apple Picking In Oak Glen

We go to Oak Glen every Fall to pick apples.  We always try to time it so that when we go it will be chilly and feel like Autumn.  Usually though, it is warm.  But this time it was just perfect!  Crisp and cool.  Cerulean blue skies, with leaves blowing gently in the cool mountain breeze.   We like to picnic on the lawn at Rios Ranch.  It was such a beautiful day for eating outside, and playing with the girls.

We all had a delicious piece of pumpkin pie that Gennifer brought.  With whipped cream, of course.

It was as good as it looks!
This year, we didn't pick the apples.  The orchards were all picked.  But we don't need to pick them anymore.  We just love to be up there and enjoy the atmosphere.  We purchased bags of apples and big jugs of apple cider to take home.  After our picnic, we took a nice long hike along the trail.  But first we had to stop and do a little foot stompin' to the Blue Grass band that was playing.

 The views from the trail were just stunning.  Rolling hills, meadows, and apple orchards, all tended to so lovingly by the ranchers that call this pretty place home.

We meandered along the pathway, stopping to admire the beauty at every turn.

Oak leaves and acorns littered the path like candy from a broken pinata.  We picked them up along the way, saving our treasures in our pockets to take home and admire them later.

We stood under majestic sequoia trees.

We paused to admire the antique farm equipment that was part of the trail.

Resting a minute on this fishing boat.

A really cute shot of Gennifer and her family.

Gennifer took some of Greg and I, and we had a little photo bomber join us.

Isn't she cute with those binoculars around her neck?

The views at the top of the trail, with the reflection of the mountain in the water, were breathtaking.

We picked up the pace on the way back, as the sun was waning, and we still had another stop to make on the way down the mountain.  We wandered into the orchards for a few more photos.

The sun was sinking lower, and we had to scoot down the hill for our apple donuts.  We arrived just in time to get into line for our evening snack.

The donuts are made assembly line style, and can be viewed while standing in line.

The aroma drifts through the air, making us hungry in anticipation.  By now, the sun is nearly down, and the temperature is dropping.  We were tired, cold and hungry.  After ordering our donuts, and hot coffee, we sat outside underneath the massive chestnut trees and delighted in the sugary treat and hot coffee.

I snapped this next shot so fast of Gennifer and the girls, that I didn't get Hannah's face in the shot.  But I thought it was still a good photo.

The shadows were long and we were shivering from the cold.  And so it was time to call it a day and  head for home.

Thanks for coming along on our trip to Oak Glen!!!
XO  Kris