In a post below Pat talked about our issues with picking apples in summer weather, and it’s true that even after spending almost 16 years in North Carolina, we have hard time adjusting to its fall timelines. In Michigan, apple season is in the height of the autumn— October. It’s crisp temps, crunchy leaves; a sweaters and hoodies, hot cider and donuts kind of thing.
Well, as a guy at the NC DMV so kindly pointed out ages ago while I was attempting to pass my written driving test for the third time, “Missy, you are not in Michigan any more.”
For real. Who picks apples in late August/early September? People who live in the Carolinas.
We headed up to our favorite spot — SkyTop Orchard near Flat Rock, NC. We’ve been going nearly every year since Vivian was in a stroller. This year, we brought along our friends the Lucas family for their first visit.
We spent the tank-top warm afternoon climbing trees (which is frowned upon at the orchard — Breakin’ the law! Breakin’ the law!), filling bushels with Honeycrisp apples, enjoying a picnic lunch and eating freshly made donuts.
We followed that fun up with a ridiculously delish impromptu dinner at Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby. Neither family had been before. I’m not sure if it was all the hard work we put in apple picking or what, but that was some of the best NC-style ’cue we’ve had in a while.
Apparently so good, no one (including myself) could stop long enough to snap a pic of the kitschy-cool interior: knotty pine walls and turquoise vinyl booths.
Oh, and the banana pudding? Insane.
The Sutherlands 