For the longest time, I wondered why apple picking was such a big deal. Some people have told me that the orchards are far away from the city and that they are so crowded. So I always stay away from them. But a few weeks ago, Charlie mentioned that we should give apple picking a try instead of going to a pumpkin patch this year. I was a bit hesitant at first because I didn’t want to drive all that way to be miserable (I don’t do well with crowds). But thought it over and decided we needed to give it a try.

So yesterday, we left Chicago for Hobart, IN to County Line Orchard. It took us about an hour to get there. The place had ample parking but there was a short wait to drive our car into the lot. I thought they did a great job with directing traffic for people coming and going.

Once we got there, we walked into the huge red barn that was full of goodness…like donuts, pies, cooks, cider, etc. I think I could’ve stayed in that barn all day (sans the crowd). Okay, the donuts were so good!!

Just to the right of the barn is a place for you to pay for admission into the orchard, which is only $1.00/person. If you wanted to do other things, like the petting zoo, the corn maze, etc, it was extra. But overall, I didn’t think the prices were expensive. You pay for the apples you pick at the registers located in the barn.

After we paid for our admission, they gave us some plastic bags and we boarded a huge tractor which took us out to the orchard. The first stop did not look like there were any apples left, but the driver told us to walk further down as the apple trees down there have not been picked at yet. So we walked down and the excitement was building for both me and Luke. He was so fascinated with picking the apples, any apples, and I was so happy to be able to take pictures of him picking the apples. (I’m not sure if Charlie had fun carrying all our apples that we picked.) The weather yesterday could not have been a more perfect fall day!

 

We spent most of our time at the orchard but did make it back to the barn to enjoy the donuts, warm apple cider, and apple slushy (Luke’s favorite). We also found County Line Orchard also serves food, which is located to the right of the barn, past the admission area. I have to say, I found that everyone working at County Line Orchard was so nice and helpful.

Saturday’s weather was perfect for me to wear my new Anthropologie Midland poncho pullover and my new Sorel Major Pull On boots (which are on major sale here). It’s not often that I get to wear new stuff on our family adventures. So yay to being able to dress up. I think these two items will be on heavy rotation this fall.

I can’t say enough about how much fun we had. The orchard is big enough that you are not running into other people. We felt that we had the place to ourselves, even on a Saturday.  Charlie and I have decided that apple picking will now become a new family tradition because we enjoyed it so much. I asked Luke what he liked most about yesterday and he said “picking apples and drinking the apple slushy.” He agreed that we should go back next year.

I wish had more time to enjoy the pumpkin patch and the petting zoo but I guess that will be on our itinerary for next year. This was a great start to a new family tradition!!

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