September's Saving Grace #3

...first trip to Apple Hill.

you might remember from all my rhapsodies...apple hill is a meandering network of apple orchards and farms dotting the hills of camino, california just a few minutes up the road. naturally, autumn is peak season and everyone waits for Apple Hill time. it means crisp days, caramel apples, face paint, ponies, crafts, pears, pumpkins, and apple cider. well, besides the crisp days part, september is the month that all that begins!

plus one for september!

we took lucy for her first apple hill excursion last week.

apple hill has many delights that you can indulge in even when it's still hot in september. just pretend it is cool and cloudy and you are wearing a sweater vest.

of course, we shared an apple fritter, they just kill me. we subtly fight over the crusty edges.

darin told me this little hillside used to be a cave when he was a kid. you could go in and order cider at a little stand in there and explore the depths. they must've closed it up before my time, probably some dang liability issue. too bad cause that would be way cool.

sleepy babe and a view of the piney hills.

nursing by hay bales while darin had an apple beer. we thought that would be some homebrewed delicious concoction, unfortunately it turned out to be a shot of cider in a sierra nevada pale ale. not so great.

lucy and i wore our "september dresses." ever since the fiona apple song, way back when i was like 17, i've had this idea in my mind of what a pale september dress should be. for us here, they have to be cool and breezy, but soft and cottony with the muted earthy tones of fall.

hey little apple blossom!

i was putting her amongst the branches and pretending i plucked the prettiest apple from the tree. she was not so amused.

winding country roads and farm stands, orchards and handmade treats and  are the BEST at harvest time. this gives september in placerville mega points. how about you? where do you go for your best reaping? 

now...off to bake an apple pie with our loot!