Here in California, especially the Central Coast, we are fortunate enough to have pretty mild and consistent weather throughout the year. Unfortunately for us that means not witnessing leaves really, really, really changing colors like they do on the East Coast. That's okay though, I'll make-do with our sunny skies and snow-less winters.
So to get into the Fall spirit a gaggle of my friends and I decided to visit Slo Creek Farms for a little apple picking!
On 40 acres, there were aisle and aisle of apple trees chalked full of apples. With the exception of other apple pickers, it was pretty quiet in between the apples trees; really serine and placid. The tall, bushy trees really separated us from the rest of the farm, the cars, the road; making it a really nice escape from the bustle of life.
I could probably stick my hands out, close my eyes and pick a dozen apples without even trying.
For the dozen or so apples that I actually picked there had to be at least two dozen apples that were too heavy or old and would just fall down. This made me sad to know they won't reach their full apple potential (or as I like to call it "apple-tential") but then I thought about it and at some point they'll turn into dirt and eventually turn into an apple tree again! The circle of life!
At the end of our excursion I came home with a few bug bites (this was a last minute adventure and I was wearing a skirt) two apples in my tummy and a dozen in a brown bag.
Apple Picking. How much more Fall can you get!?
Till next time!
Stay tuned! Stay hungry!
-Taryn Julia
*I would like to dedicate this post to the amazing Food Science legend, Dr. Hany Khalil, whose absence will be felt around the world and beyond. I am so fortunate to have met this man on the very first day of my food science career, a career that will truly be forever shaped by his guidance. I have learned that the world is a big place, so you have to learn as much as you can in order to help as much as you can. So Dr. Khalil, next time we meet, lunch is on me.*
