Where Did All The Apples Go?
This past weekend, we had plans with friends to take our respective families to an apple orchard for a fun fall trip. We’d go pick some apples, hang out in the pumpkin patch, maybe explore a corn maze – and definitely eat some apple cider donuts. It’s the middle of October, so we were prepared to bundle up if necessary. A crisp fall day is perfect for apple picking, after all.
Not this year, though.
The Friday before our planned expedition, I chaperoned Mister Man’s apple orchard field trip. When we got to the orchard, we were informed that we would not be picking our apples to bring home. All the apples were already off the trees and instead we’d select an apple from crates in the orchard. Uhhh huh. I wasn’t too worried about our planned trip with friends in a couple days until we got into the orchard and I actually saw the apples. The chaperones had to dig through the bins of rotted apples to find the few tiny good ones remaining.
That’s about when I started to worry about our orchard visit that weekend. On Saturday, I spent hours looking up and calling every single orchard in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. I do not exaggerate. Every. Single. Orchard.
There was not an apple to be had on a tree anywhere. They all agreed it was a very early end to the season; some had even finished up their year at the end of September. With a heavy heart, I called my friends and explained the dilemma. Although mid-October would normally be prime apple season, this year we procrastinated weeks too long. I received various reasons for the shortage from overly warm summer weather to a late frost to a huge season last year, all of which added up to no apples for us.
In the end, we decided to go to All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock. They charge $8 a person to get in, but then you can play all day in their massive corn maze, bounce on the jumping pillow (and all of us did, including the adults), take a hay wagon ride out into the orchard and pumpkin patch, visit the petting zoo, and more. The drive wasn’t as bad as we’d expected, and it was an absolutely gorgeous day.
We got our apple cider donuts. And they had apples for sale in the country store, but it isn’t quite the same when you have so little left to choose from. Fortunately all the kids had a blast. We got lost in the maze but found our way out. They made “hay angels” on the wagon as we trekked out to see the pumpkin patch. We burned hundreds and hundreds of calories giggling and bouncing on the largest and most unique not quite a trampoline and not quite a jumpy that I’ve ever seen. No one was ready to leave when it was time to go home. We were able to leave only after promising the kids we’d come back next year.
In fact, we’ve already picked the date. Next year, we aren’t missing the chance to pick our own apples. We’re heading out to Woodstock on Sunday September 18. Orrrrr maybe we should move that up to the 11th.
No related posts.
Category: Chicago, Cooking, Environment, Illinois, New Posts
We don’t do apples so I had no idea what a normal season looks like. But mmmmmmmm apple cider doughnuts. That place sounds fun. If I remember about it maybe we’ll check it out next year. Some of those places end up costing way more than I plan when its $4 for a hayride and $4 for this and etc etc. $8 isn’t bad if you know that’ll be it…well plus some doughnuts!! (I wonder if there’s anywhere close I could get some of those for lunch?)
Hmm. That stinks. Glad you found a fun place to go!
We didn’t even try to go apple picking because I read a story about how sparse the crop was this year. We always try to go early in September because even during good years, the later you go the tinier and more picked over the apples get.
Michelle, my kids keep reminding me that we managed to miss another apple picking season. I’ll get it right one of these days
Lisa – I’m always amazed by how many places have the apple cider donuts. There are plenty of places near us!
Mrs4444 – I know. I was soooo bummed. I’m guessing it was not so bad near you?
Shari – You were smart. I somehow missed those news reports. My challenge is that the apples I really like tend to be the later ripening ones, so I have to figure out how to time it right next year!
Kelly – Do what I did – put it on the calendar next year now. You’re locked in then! September 18 with me?