Every year since Sam and Carter could walk, Trace and I have taken them out to the apple orchard on a sunny Saturday in late September. In 2004, '05 and '06, we made the one hour trip to Balderson for some pick-your-own fun. There is an old caboose on the property, outfitted with tables and chairs and a fun little loft. The boys usually tore around in there for a while before we all climbed aboard the farmer's hay wagon for the three-minute rumble to the dwarf trees.
After filling up our bags and buying up some fresh cider and orchard honey, we loaded the bounty into the car and headed for the nearby cheese shop and 
chocolate factory for a few more traditional treats. We passed almost as much time watching the boys decide which shape they wanted their chocolate-on-a-stick to take as we did in the orchard itself. But we didn't mind. Those shops smelled wonderful and were brightly decorated for fall: it was almost like spending time at the home of Quintessential Grandma. In fact, in those early years, the boys took a seat right there on the floor to eat their chocolate.
chocolate factory for a few more traditional treats. We passed almost as much time watching the boys decide which shape they wanted their chocolate-on-a-stick to take as we did in the orchard itself. But we didn't mind. Those shops smelled wonderful and were brightly decorated for fall: it was almost like spending time at the home of Quintessential Grandma. In fact, in those early years, the boys took a seat right there on the floor to eat their chocolate. Last year, there was a little glitch in the tradition: Balderson had a scant crop, so we arrived to signs indicating that we could buy apples from the shop and tour the orchard on the hay wagon, but we couldn't pick our own. It was 
somewhat disappointing, but still a really lovely day. This year, however, Balderson didn't get a saleable crop at all. Seems a number of neighbouring orchards suffered the same fate. The ones that did produce a good crop were overwhelmed by demand in early September and had run clean out of pick-your-own. Our tradition was about to take a twist.
somewhat disappointing, but still a really lovely day. This year, however, Balderson didn't get a saleable crop at all. Seems a number of neighbouring orchards suffered the same fate. The ones that did produce a good crop were overwhelmed by demand in early September and had run clean out of pick-your-own. Our tradition was about to take a twist. After a quick survey of our choices, we settled on Cannamore Orchards about half an ho
ur from here. It offered not only the necessary elements of this favourite tradition—the beautiful drive, the wagon ride, and the nice-smelling gift shop—but also a great play field with a 'climb aboard' train, and fish pond, some mazes, and a choice of picnic areas. We met up with Danielle, Tristan and Simon and Anne-Marie, Dave and Other Sam for lunch and some afternoon fun in the Indian Summer sun. We spent three hours there, and it was so pleasant we could easily have whiled away several more (the adults whiled; the kids whirled).
ur from here. It offered not only the necessary elements of this favourite tradition—the beautiful drive, the wagon ride, and the nice-smelling gift shop—but also a great play field with a 'climb aboard' train, and fish pond, some mazes, and a choice of picnic areas. We met up with Danielle, Tristan and Simon and Anne-Marie, Dave and Other Sam for lunch and some afternoon fun in the Indian Summer sun. We spent three hours there, and it was so pleasant we could easily have whiled away several more (the adults whiled; the kids whirled). Trace and I missed the pleasures of pick-your-own, but the boys didn't seem to notice—it has been half their lives now since we got out there in the trees. Next 
year, we'll have to plan for early September orchard trips. To Balderson and to Cannamore. We want to support our (chronological) first choice when it's back in business, but we have a new (preferential) first choice we'll be frequenting, too. I wonder how long it'll be before the orchard charms are upstaged by requests to visit the terrifying Haunted House or go on the after-dark Spooky Wagon Ride with its flying monsters and body snatchers? For now, they're happy tearing around the grounds, sampling apple butter and pumpkin fudge, and playing at being "spooky guys" themselves....
year, we'll have to plan for early September orchard trips. To Balderson and to Cannamore. We want to support our (chronological) first choice when it's back in business, but we have a new (preferential) first choice we'll be frequenting, too. I wonder how long it'll be before the orchard charms are upstaged by requests to visit the terrifying Haunted House or go on the after-dark Spooky Wagon Ride with its flying monsters and body snatchers? For now, they're happy tearing around the grounds, sampling apple butter and pumpkin fudge, and playing at being "spooky guys" themselves....
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