Apple Picking

Guess where we went???

What would fall be like in Maine, if we didn't go apple picking? Last year it seemed like I was at the orchard A LOT! I went once with friends where we picked a 1/2 bushel, we went once with the kids Awana group where each boy picked a 1/2 peck & again when my brother & his family were here from California when we picked yet another 1/2 bushel. This year I knew I didn't want to be making endless batches of applesauce, so I held out. Sure enough, the kids Awana group did another excursion.

N is in the Sparks group which is for grades K-2 at our club. One of the things they need to sign off on a section is to take a Nature Hike so every fall their Director plans to do this at the apple orchard outing. This year, they planned for everyone to go on the hike, then eat lunch, & then go pick apples - together - there were some issues with this last year - can you tell?

I took about 30+ photos - got to love digital - but I promise not to post ALL of them. Here are some of my favorites...

One of the leaders did a talk before we headed out. She gave each child an apple seed & talked about how you plant it & it grows. She then talked to them about how to plant a seed for Jesus. I'm not sure some of the younger ones made the connection, but they all promptly planted their apple seeds. :-)

Many of these little salamanders were found along the trail - well, underneath rocks along the trail. These were all caught by two of the GIRLS on the walk. :-) Got to love it. Although, my oldest son decidedly they weren't so bad after all & he'd like to find one & keep it for a pet. Um, this didn't happen - at least not yet.

While I love my digital camera, the flash on it is very weak. It does not do well in low light settings outside at all. This is a photo of the director pointing out this really cool tree with a big hollow in it. This was near the end of the walk. We were on the hike for about 1-1/2 hours I think. We went slow & stopped often. We had children ranging in age from 3 up to 13 (I think). There were about 20 kids & 10 adults.

We all rode the tractor up to the top of the orchard for our lunch & to pick the apples. This was, of course, the highlight of the boys afternoon.

And yes, I made ALL the kids pose for me!!!! :-)

No, he isn't sleeping. I caught him in the midst of a blink. However, my hubby doesn't allow me many photos of him so I didn't dare ask for a retake. He liked the apple though.

J loves his apples.

N showing off his bag of apples. He was a bit possessive of them which I found funny considering he won't EAT them. He will drink apple juice, but he won't eat apples. ::sigh:: I can't seem to convince that they are the same thing. Maybe some day!

We had a great time. Now my hubby is bugging me to make him an apple pie. ugh! LOL