Hi Lovely People,
What a beautiful day to go apple picking!
Eckert’s Farm in Grafton, Illinois
After a full week of work, it is a great feeling to be able to have fun on the weekends. My hubby had to work this weekend so it is great to be able to include some fun among all the work. In the fall season, there is nothing like picking your own apples from a local apple orchard. I never picked apples as a child so I cannot say that this is a family tradition. Although I must admit, I feel like a kid when my hubby and I plan our new fall tradition.
Eckert’s is a family-owned farm with three locations on the Illinois side of the Gateway City. This is the second year that my hubby and I have traveled to the Grafton location to pick apples. It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the fall. The road leading to Grafton parallels the Mississippi River. The river has an occasional barge or boat drifting by. Birds of all sorts are flying close to the river looking for lunch. And the trees are beginning to change colors. There are many sites to see that make this hour’s drive seem like only moments.
Eckert’s Farm will take you away from the hustle of the big city. The farm features activities for children of all ages and a country store to purchase fresh apple cider, kettle corn, and other grocery items. However, the real reason we came to the farm is the chance to pick our own apples and pumpkins. We hopped on a wagon hitched to a tractor and we made our way through the orchards until we arrived at the one the is ready to be picked at the time of our visit. There are several varieties of apples to choose from, including Honey Crisp, Fuji, and Braeburn. While picking the apples, we can sample as many we want. We had not tried the Braeburn before and we wanted to see how it tasted. This variety is crisp, extra sweet and packs a big crunch. We decided to pick some, along with the EverCrisp variety, which is a cross between the traditional Honey Crisp and a Fuji apple. The EverCrisp apple is large enough that my hubby and I can share one. The Braeburn is smaller and just the right size for an afternoon treat.
Sampling the Braeburn apple at Eckert’s
Picking apples and pumpkins
My hubby and I gathered two large bags of apples and a couple of pumpkins for decorations at the house. One of the bag’s handles broke but there are plenty of bags available, so it was all good. When leaving the orchards, we paid for the apples and pumpkins by the pound. The coolness in the air and bright clear sky provided us with a wonderful day to take home a healthy delicious treat.
J and T enjoying a cool fall day in the apple orchards
Although we have been apple picking for two years, my hubby and I have decided to make this a new fall tradition for the two of us. We enjoy a quick getaway that is filled with lasting memories and provides us with treats for weeks to come. Please share with us any of your favorite fall traditions.
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