What’s up! I cannot believe Thanksgiving is already this week and to say I’m excited for the yummy food and amazing family time would be an understatement. I feel like Thanksgiving kind of ties the bow on the ending of the fall season, but I’d be a terrible blogger if I didn’t even mention the penultimate fall experience which happens to be my favorite: APPLE PICKING! Since moving to New York it’s been a must-do thing for me. There is truly nothing like walking down rows of apple trees while you’re picking and eating the apples. The smell of the crisp fall air and fallen apples is something so distinct and makes me so nostalgic. I had two different apple-picking experiences this year, one in New Jersey and the more traditional one upstate in the Hudson Valley. This post is a photo drop more than anything, but I’ll share small blurbs about each place as well

Hacklebarney Farm in Long Valley, NJ

This experience was particularly special because this is where Mav used to go when he was little with his family. You don’t pick your apples off of the trees, but you can purchase them from the shop along with some of the most delicious cider I think I have ever tasted. It was extremely crowded and we had to stand in a line to get our cider and Mav and his dad were telling me that it didn’t used to be like this. I read before our trip that Rachael Ray recently featured Hacklebarney Farm on her show, so I feel like that had something to do with it. We walked around the back of the shop and I got to see the cider mill which was really cool. I also ate a really delicious apple cider hot dog before hiking through Hacklebarney State Park which is right down the street. Overall, a superb fall day. Hacklebarney is still open Monday and Tuesday of this week, so if you’re able, do your family a favor and grab some cider for Thanksgiving!!

Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook, NY

Now this is what I’m talking about. After parking the car, I was literally jumping with excitement. I freaking love apple picking, like really a lot. I had never gone apple picking this late in the season before and was nervous about the apples available, but I ended up discovering my new favorite apple variety (Mutsu apples, which are originally from Japan! Um.. dope) and getting a lot of yum apples. My other favorite thing about apple picking in the Hudson Valley is that your apple picking experience is usually accompanied by an incredible view of the beautiful autumn trees. Ugh I could just go on and on about this guys, you really do have to experience it for yourselves. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that Rose Hill is still open at this point, and they’re only open on weekends so getting their tasty treats before Thanksgiving is pretty unlikely at this point. However, if you’re looking for a post-Thanksgiving activity that will help you walk off some of the extra pounds you just gained, give ’em a call and see what’s left to pick.

To continue with my apple obsession, I will be posting an apple-themed Pinterest win or fail for my next STuF post so stay tuned!