Apple picking 2012

It all started with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Pumpkin Spice Latte, cowboy boots, and a high of 74. Could a fall day get any better?

Why yes. You could throw in a roadtrip to Sky Top Orchard for some apple picking.

We packed some trail mix, a cooler with sandwiches and fruit, and the cutest puppy we could find in our house and headed to Hendersonville, NC. I wish it were later in the season, when the leaves have changed, but with apple season being so early this year, and the gorgeous weather this weekend, we couldn’t risk it. This was our weekend.

We grabbed two red buckets and started picking.

It is so beautiful out here, with the mountains in the background, and the rows and rows of apple trees and grape vines.

I couldn’t get too many pictures without crowds of people in them, so you might have to make a trip to Hendersonville to see for yourself!

We chose some Jonagold and a few Granny Smith (too sour for me, but Dan likes them). Then, knowing the Fuji section was closed, we headed to Gala.

Interestingly enough, we saw that Fuji was only closed from the front. When we headed up the row to find Gala apples, we were tempted by the trees full of ripe Fuji apples right next to us. We couldn’t resist. Shhh. Don’t tell Sky Top Orchard. But we grabbed almost half a bushel of the best tasting Fuji apples, and went on our merry way.

After all the picking, we needed some good hydration and choose two apple cider slushies.

We took our slushies right in line for some fresh made-within-the-last-minute apple cider donuts.

Coated in cinnamon and sugar, these are a must when you go apple picking.

While we were in line, Koda showed a little boy her high-five trick, the crowd gushed over how cute she was, and she was in heaven.

Although not too cooperative for photos.

After a few hours out at Sky Top, some clouds started rolling in and we decided it was time to head home.

We threw our loot in the car, (forty pounds of apples!), and started scheming about what to cook first.

Fall bucket list cross offs:

• Go apple picking: We go to Sky Top Orchard in Hendersonville every year.
• Drink a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte