IT’S APPLE PICKING SEASON IN THE CANDLEWOOD LAKE AREA of CONNECTICUT AND IN THE HUDSON VALLEY of NEW YORK STATE
Have you ever gone apple picking? It’s fun: for you, for the kids, for groups of friends, for anybody really. I love it. Used to take the kids when they were younger, now they they’ve been going with their buddies, either as college group outings or with a small cluster of young adult pals/significant others.
What do you do when you go apple picking? So many options!
First, it’s great just to be outdoors on a nice fall day, to enjoy the fresh, earthy, leafy aromas of the season, to get out of your routine and if you’re a city dweller, to get out to the “country”.
There are multiple attractions such as kiddie playgrounds, hay mazes, petting zoos, or just some farm animals on display; sometimes you can even feed them, if you are so inclined; there are photo ops, hay rides and so on. Earlier, in October, there were pumpkin patches, where you could get your own for Halloween.
Where are the apples? you might ask – in the vast orchards that you will be able to walk and pick your own apples straight from the trees! The rows are labeled as to the variety of the apples. Generally, there is a lot of sampling that goes on before the right apples are chosen to go into your bag.
The bags are purchased, priced based on size, in advance and you can fill them to the brink or not – your choice as to which apples and how many. All are juicy and delicious being so perfectly fresh.
You don’t have to pick your own apples and you might not want to purchase a bag – no worries. Most apple orchards have cool gift shops with fresh produce, apple cider, apple cider donuts, gift items (sometimes even Christmas stuff) and much more. Often hot chocolate and coffee are on hand as well, but not everywhere (save that for cutting down your own Christmas tree!).
What to do with the apples you pick or buy? Enjoy them!!! In many different ways. They are delicious raw (wash or peel first!), or prepared, for example in pies or as apple sauce. The latter too are not to difficult to make at home. The sauce is REALLY easy (look it up – basically it’s just cooking the apples after you cut them). The pies are a little more complex, but only if you decide to make your own crust. If you buy the crust pre-made, the rest is a piece of cake (or pie, he he).
Enjoy the splendors of the season in the Candlewood Lake area of Southwestern Connecticut and the picturesque Hudson Valley of New York State and create unforgettable memories. One of those very special fall attractions is definitely apple picking and there is still time this year.
Happy November everyone!
If any real estate questions pop into your head as you are enjoying the area, don’t hesitate to call. This part of the world is great for a summer/vacation/weekend home and it’s so near to everything!