A Day at Apple Hill

Last Sunday we got a phone call from our daughter-in-law. She was heading up to Apple Hill for the day with the Beans, our grandchildren, and wanted to know if we could drive over and met her there. She was already in Folsom.
 We had been picking our own pumpkins and doing some garden chores so we both needed showers. We cleaned up, put the dogs out in the back yard and left.
It was a beautiful Fall day... warm, breezy and a great day to take a drive to Placerville.
Apple Hill is an Association of Ranches that are in the foothills, east of Placerville and west of Pollock Pines, on the north side of Highway 50. It's open all year long but right now it's apple harvest time and all of the farms are opens for business.We met at this farm and they were waiting for us.

We met them in the parking lot. They had been here before. They knew the routine. Mom got a bag for each of the Beans. The rule was that they would carry their own bag to and from the orchard so they were only to fill the bag about half way.

The apple orchard was beautiful. 

The boys went to work finding and picking the apples.

 The trees were filled with apples. This was the Fuji apple section.

 Big Bean got right into his work. He disappeared into the branches.

 and carefully examined each apple to be sure it was "Perfect!"

 "Papa, are you eating one of the apples?

The Prospector was caught red handed. He had no excuse except, "It was laying on the ground."

Little Bean said in a low voice, 

"Papa, you not suppose to eat them yet."

 The Bean just shook his head.

 Then, they went back to some serious apple picking.

 Papa helped reach the perfect apples that were out of reach. The Bean watched Papa to be sure he didn't eat any more apples.

 Little Bean is 5 years old. He loves to clown around. "What big eyes you have, sweetie."

 "Are the bags half full yet? What a minute. Papa is carrying the apples. Did we forget the rule?"

That's a high, and low, five going on there. Someone is making "deals".

"Oh no, this one has a worm in it."

So Papa carried the bags of apples back to the  farm and the Beans went off to play on the tire swing

 under the very tall trees.

 I guess grandparents can change the rules once in a while.

We ate lunch behind this barn and then paid for our apples... plus one, that was missing in action...inside Papa's stomach.

 Little Bean found a pumpkin that was bumpy.

 and different from the others. 

"Look Noni, this one has bumps on it."

 Then we packed up and drove to Abel's Acres.

 This is a big commercial farm that has lots of things to see, do and BUY. The Beans got free balloon hats... and swords... and sword holders Wow! The lady who did this was amazing. She just asked them what they wanted and then twisted and blew these balloons into anything.. Amazing! The Beans were pirates and they had a balloon sword fight that looked pretty authentic and didn't hurt anyone.What fun!

 They ran though a hay maze for a while and wore themselves out.

 Looked for the perfect pumpkin... again.

And, finally, sat down with that glazed look that said, "We're tired. It's time to go home."

We said our goodbye's, gave them the pumpkins we had grown at home with each Bean's name etched into them and drove off in different directions.

It was a really great day spent with our grandchildren and their mom. 

I will be down at their house on Halloween. It's tradition.

Can't wait!