Apple Hill, Apple Heaven

Written last night:

Dear Friends, 

Just beyond Placerville there’s a place called Apple Hill — it’s like wine country but with apples. Apple Hill Growers is an association of 50-plus “ranches” — they call them that, rather than orchards. Anyway, lots of farmers grow apples there, and every fall they sell all things apple-related from barns and shops on their property. Today I went with my friends Mary Kaye and Leigh. We meandered up and down the rolling country, stopping at several farms. They said the roads can be packed on autumn weekends, but today was a relaxed drive. In Ohio we were proud that Johnny Appleseed tromped over our southern hills, and Jackson, Ohio, probably still has a water tower shaped like an apple,* but it’s nothing like Apple Hill in scope and energy. I asked a couple of people who live here if they’d like me to bring them back some apples, and they said, “Forget the apples! I want pie!” So I brought back a grocery cart full of frozen apple pies. I’m not exaggerating! I’m sure they’re great, but they can’t be better than Mom’s Apple Pie recipe, so I just got some cider for myself. It is perfect.

Love,

k

*It does; I just checked. https://www.timesjournal.com/news/image_0c2434e7-4aa7-5121-b352-866776b4dc12.html