An apple a day

Or something like that. Jessie, Renae, two of Renae's friends and I took a ride out the the Elegant Farmer this afternoon to pick apples. Actually, they picked apples. The oldest person in the group was bright enough to realize that it was the last day of picking, and to reach any apples, trees would need to be climbed. Heh.

The girls picked a bushel of mixed varieties of apples, from granny smith to cortland, pepins and more. The orchard runs hayrides out to the various groves, provides baskets (for a fee) and generally does everything up very well. The final stop for the hayride is strategically placed next to a small wooden shack where they make apple cider doughnuts for sale. I wish there were a way to send that smell through the internet; you'll have to take my word that it was heavenly.

Across the street at the main market, more fun awaited. One entire wing is given over to make-your-own caramel apples, pulled pork sandwiches and slices of their famous apple pie. Inside the store itself is a showcase of Wisconsin products. Just be sure to have a wad of cash; the Wisconsin parmesan chunks on sale were prices at $17.99 per pound. The asiago was a bit cheaper, at $11.99. The cider-baked ham seemed almost reasonable, at $8.99 per pound. Specialty mustards, imported cookies, fresh baked goodies, local honey and maple syrup, all kinds of produce - if the crowds were thinner, you could easily take a couple of hours to peruse all the offerings on the shelves.

We all came home with goodies. My personal plan for the rest of this evening involves hot apple cider, fresh string cheese and a pumpkin sugar cookie.

On Friday, I'll be out in that general area again, or at least close enough that another stop could be justified. After all, I never did get a caramel apple.