Apples, Donkeys and Pie OH MY!!!

A more perfect first day of October does not exist, at least in my opinion! 

Raven Hill Orchard

Julian, CA

Have you ever picked apple's from an orchard?  I haven't and every year when they advertise the beginning of apple picking season in Julian I always want to go but it never seems to come together.  This year I made it and it was one of the best days I've had with Todd, Devon and the boys! 

Our destination after careful online research was the Raven Hill Orchard, owned by two Irish brothers who also dable in Ironworks (which you see throughout the orchard).  It is the ideal apple orchard for children to pick from because the entire orchard is full of Dwarf Apple Trees that the children can reach without using a fruit picker. 

For $10.00 a bag you can pick as many apples and varieties as you can fit in the bag, they even allow you to stuff your pockets and eat them along the way.  The apple's tasted out of this world, sweet and pesticide free......beware of wiggling worms!

Finn's off, apple in hand.

I couldn't get enough apples...

they were everywhere! 

This is what it is all about....family!

 Devon & Tiago

Tiago picking from the tree.  The boys didn't need any instruction other than keeping a look out for worm holes before picking or eating one. 

Orchard Fun

SISTERS

2 Little Boys...1 Big Boy

 

Todd picking

Yum

Orchard

Fruit of our Labor

APPLES, APPLES, APPLES

Then it was on to the Menghini Winery for wine tasting which coincindentally happened to be right next door.  Violet and I had been here before and I was hoping to catch a peak at their resident sheep dog.... 

Thank goodness.....

the dog was still there guarding the wine.  

Finn looks a little too happy in a dentist's chair!

(Todd prentending to massage Finn's gums....it was hilarious)

While Devon and I were wine tasting (loved the cab), my darling husband was entertaining Finn & Tiago.  The proprietors of this winery are children friendly and provide various areas that appeal to them (antique dental chairs?!?!).  

Finn raising Tiago for his turn

with Dr. Gustafson & the gum massaging!

Chardonnay the Cat

There was another cat named Zela waiting  for the sound of scurrying mice feet, customers kept trying to buy her but were told she was "priceless".

Not only was Todd keeping the boys under wraps...

he took this sweet photo!

My favorite photo of Devon.  She looks so happy and relaxed....isn't it amazing what one little wine tasting can accomplish?

After we left the winery we headed over to the Wynola Train Store where our apple picking came in handy.....we had treats to feed the Donkey behind the store.  

This day kept getting better and better....we soon realized after feeding the donkey how very hungry we all were so off to dinner at Wynola Pizza.

Wynola Pizza

(a must stop on your way to Julian)

Loved their Wood Fired Oven

Pizza paired with Julian Hard Cider

Match made in Heaven

Finn - Setting Sun

Julian Pumpkins

After dinner we headed into Julian for Pumpkin Apple Pie with coffee, the boys had Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae's with Chocolate Syrup.  Could you imagine a better way to end the day in Wynola/Julian?  We did window shop down mainstreet to try and burn some calories after dessert (every little bit counts you know).

 

I want to stay here someday!

 

Homeward bound.....just caught the setting sun as we headed West.  Astonishing really to think Julian is only 1 1/2 hours away.

I never get tired of seeing this in the rearview mirror.  

**I apologize for the length of this post, I couldn't choose what pictures to leave out, it really was the perfect afternoon/evening in the mountains surrounded by apple orchards and the family I love.