The I 87 is the road that leads through the New York Hudson Valley and Adirondacks up to the border of Canada. I used to spend hours driving to Montreal along the long stretches of towering oaks and maples, driving in and out of telephone service past the Adirondacks until my car radio finally started to pick up French radio stations, the first sign that you are close to Canada.
Wineries and markets scatter the valley, and in the Fall there are plenty of apple farms. This season I’ve had a slight obsession with apple picking. Maybe it’s my homemaker sensibilities finally kicking in, or perhaps the strong desire to be around food and drink as much as possible, but each weekend I have dragged a few lucky souls to frolic with me through the apple fields. This time it was these guys.
Doesn’t this picture look like an obscure Indie band album cover? It isn’t particularly hardcore, considering the apple picking background and sprawling hills, but I can imagine the band name. Anything preceded by the word “The.” The Apples? But once again I digress…
This apple tree has seen better days, but I thought it looked artistic, even a bit hopeful as it clung on to its final apples in contrast to the blue sky. The other trees were bursting with red and golden delicious, which I believe are more prevalent this late in the season. We did our best to scavenge the Empire, Macoun, and Macintosh trees that still had some apples holding on. Macouns seem to hold on longer and this weekend, when I drag a few other people to another farm or farmers market, I plan to buy even more. Apple pie anyone?
I look happy don’t I?
This guy greeted us upon arrival and gave us fair warning as to what we can expect before we leave.
All areas of your vehicle are subject to inspection for apples.
And they mean it too. They made us pop the trunk so they could inspect our belongings and make sure we didn’t hide an extra bag or two of apples somewhere. You didn’t hear it from me, but they did not check our glove compartment or our purses, in case you are keen on beating the apple system. We didn’t sneak any apples, but we did fill our bags until the point of bursting, as well as eat enough apples during the trip to make any normal person sick.
The smell of freshly picked apples is incredible. Stick your face in it.
Apple cider doughnuts are one of the main reasons to go apple picking. I completely understand the sentiment when my friend’s mom said to forget the apples just bring her the doughnuts. Accompanied with apple cider there isn’t anything better.
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sweet