Apple Hill 2008

Last week I participated in my second year of a grand new tradition since relocating to Rocklin.  What is known simply as "Apple Hill", is a cluster of farms near Placerville, CA that specialize in apples (obviously) as well as various other fruits and produce. 

"Here at the Hill there are happy apple people to welcome you at every turn."

We usually start out at the biggest venue, High Hill Ranch. Here they not only sell apples but also a variety of scrumptious homemade apple products. Their fresh apple juice will make you wonder what that yellow Motts stuff you bought at the grocery store was made from. There's also apple doughnuts, apple fritters, apple butter, apple jelly, apple pencils, apple sauce, apple pie, apple beer, apple fish. No, I'm just kidding, there's no apple fish. But there is a fish pond (as depicted below).

Brett was interested in their variety of honey sticks at the apple market.

Another must, if you ever partake in these fall festivities is the Fudge Factory. Here's the crew and me with my steaming fresh bag of  fudge.

Here at the quaint farm, Larsen Apples, my mom displays yet another variety of delicious apple hill products, fresh grapes.

Some farms even let you experience the joys of apple farming by picking the fruit fresh from the trees.

Mom knew just which apple to pick.

I think this kind of sampling is generally discouraged.

And finally if you go to Apple Hill you must visit the Plubells Petting Farm, where overzealous goats will rip the feeding cup right out of your hand and eat it.

They even have chickens.

And cute pigs that may charge at you if you take your picture near their pen. 

I was pretty sure that if I didn't move quickly they would put their little snouts through the wire to bite my arm.

Aren't they cute?

See you next year Apple Hill!