So what are you doing this weekend?
While I am still nursing my lil’ ol’ surgery–at least in terms of using it for an excuse with the wife for a little more attention and a few less chore assignments–I am hoping to get back up in the mountains, starting with nearby Apple Hill and then head further up to the high country to see the incredible fall colors.
Click here to learn more about the Apple Hill area, including maps and other travel planning information.
Plan on an early stop for something sure to raise your blood sugar into the danger zone but will make your tummy purr like a happy kitten. And grab a bag of apples for the road trip–we are really into the Fuji’s, but you can see you will have plenty more varieties to choose from. (We happened to buy the apples at High Hill Ranch and the pastries at Mill View Ranch–both are on the Apple Hill map.)
And if you wish to enjoy some baked goods once you get home, bring an ice chest and a buy a frozen pie or two. If you hide one in the back of the freezer, maybe it will even last until your holiday dinner crowd shows up: won’t they be impressed.
Once you filled up both your tummy and your tank (in your S.U. V.)–thank goodness that gasoline is below four bucks a gallon–set the GPS for east and enjoy the scenic drive on your way up the hill.
Be prepared for quite a temperature range. We went up the other day and while it had been in the 80’s in the Sacramento area, it was 25 degrees going up the hill (check out the car guage) and we even ran into some snow.
It is difficult to know when the changing colors are the most magnificent, as it varies by tree species, elevations, aspect, and local weather.
Some nice person has created a website to help you catch the peak of the fall colors, such as the quaking aspens up in Alpine County, as well as other areas; I suggest this website for fairly up-to-date info submitted from readers just like you.
If your timing is fair to good you might catch a scene like this one but be forewarned; I just saw Apple Hill described in the Sac Bee as Apple Hell on weekends due to masses of road choking, apple pie eating, wine tasting Sacaramento-ites, so if you happen to work a shift that gives you a Friday or Monday off (or, cough-cough, you’re not feeling too good and can’t come in) you can avoid the unwashed masses standing in front of you at the apple fritter counter by avoiding those weekends. Alternately, get up early and show up in your P.J.’s.
Damn, now I made myself hungry…where in the back of the freezer is that darn apple-berry-sour cream pie we brought home.
I am sick of apples after an afternoon of picking them. Even these pictures of what I’m sure are delicious apples are making me sick! How sad. I feel like Johnny Appleseed because we’re dehydrating apples, making pie, chopping them up, having them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. . . I’m apple crazy! And Frank, I know what you mean about gas. Thank goodness it has gone down! Because apple places are conveniently located in practically the next state over! Geez, I felt like I wasted a half tank on that trip. And 8 hours.
But secretly, I’d love to go apple picking again! As long as I can teach someone else how to make apple pie from scratch. *grumblegrumble*
Wait…aren’t you supposed to be promoting apples for their health benefits—you know, “an apple a day keeps the doctor…”
Oops, as I guess as a pre-med student it is in your best financial interest that the doctor is needed.
As to the gasoline costs associated in the harvest, I thought all you young people were converting your cars to biodiesel. I assume you could just shove apples in your gas tank all the way home.
love the apple pictures
hope you are recovering well!! I too have been MIA in blogland so I am just now catching up to speed and reading of your surgery. hope you’re doing better and enjoying bad daytime TV!!
Wow, getting a comment from THE Fly Fish Chick is like…like…almost as if Sarah Palin (or maybe Tina Fey, as Sarah Palin) was reading my blogage! I am humbled and honored.
I, like millions of others, have noticed your absence and I witnessed most of your regulars were relegated to talking among themselves—something about cupcakes, as I recall.
Thanks for the concern about my hernia histrionics.
Yesterday I went in and had the surgical tape removed and warned the office staff that I would likely “scream like a girl” when the doc ripped it off, but I was behaved like a big boy and didn’t faint, or anything. The nurse gave me a candy for my heroism.
Hmm, yes. We bought the Apple Sour Cream, too. Nice that you had cool weather on your trip to the hill. We got warm, in mid-November! I blogged my visit, too, if you care to check it out.
http://www.scrabblequeen.wordpress.com
s.q.-
I guess great minds think alike.
Nice pictures at your place.