Saturday At The Orchard

The kids and I had a full day planned but the day we had, looked nothing like the plans we made. Today we were originally going to the Ducky Derby at Allaire State Park and then to the Italian American Festival, in the Township where I grew up. The duck derby, a rubber duck race, was starting at one o'clock and after a lazy morning and late breakfast, we decided not to go. Instead we went to Eastmont Orchards to pick peaches. This has become somewhat of a tradition. We started picking apples there when my eldest was in a stroller and now we go several times a year. We love peach picking season, because we love the peaches. Driving up to the orchard was magical, swirling clouds greeted us and the reddish orange fruit interrupted the green treed landscape.

A pleasant woman who worked at the farm, gave us some bags and the lie of the land. If you've never walked through an orchard, I recommend it. It gives the feeling of the majesty of nature and the ingenuity of man. It is a harmonious place and walking down the many rows of fruit laden trees brings a oneness with nature that I don't usually get, even while hiking. Here nature provides it's life giving gifts and in turn is nourished by man.

We only stayed about an hour. Long gone are the days when the kids wanted to keep picking until the bags were overflowing.  They understand we will be back when we need more.

We stopped at the farm stand on the way out to pick up some potatoes, corn and a cantaloupe melon. As we left, the skies were amazing. We dropped our significant haul off at home and sampled the newly acquired treats.

The festival suffered a similar fate to the duck race and the kids instead asked if we could go shopping for Converse Sneakers. The sales lady at the store and I reminisced about the Converse sneakers of our youth. Emily picked out a multi-colored pair and Lizzy picked up a skull pair.

Tomorrow is a baking day. We will make cobblers and pies