Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Apple Picking!



It's almost autumn, and with it comes a whole new set of OHventures.

Every now and then, a person needs to take a break and flee from the hustle and bustle of everyday big city life. A sea of apples and a maze of corn lie just minutes away, in every nook & cranny of Ohio, providing a perfect escape for anyone wishing to relive their childhood.

For those in Central Ohio, Lynd Fruit Farm, located on the corner of state Route 310 and Morse Road in Pataskala, provides a bounty of fall activities for the young at heart throughout September, October and November.

During the average year, 12 million apples will be hand picked, one at a time, and harvested at Lynd Fruit Farm. Although most of these apples are picked by migrant laborers, many are picked by ordinary people who come to walk up and down the countless rows of trees in search of the perfect piece of fruit.

When you're there, it's like walking through a postcard. It's so serene and peaceful here. Coming here makes me almost forget about school and work and tests and all that. It's also a cheap, or sometimes free, activity ($10 for a 10 lb. bag, or free if you want to just walk around and soak up the scenery).

Of the 15 varieties of apples grown at the farm, the varieties currently ripe for the picking in the "U-Pick" orchards include Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Suncrisp and Melrose. The farm offers different sized bags to fill while picking, all reasonably priced to fit any budget.

In addition to apples, the Lynd family also grows peaches, tart cherries, plums, pears, blackberries, sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and daylilies, all of which can be purchased at retail booths during their respective season.

I advise visits during times when the weather is nice, and not on a day after a storm, to avoid muddy trails. However, in case of mud, wagon rides are provided to transfer customers throughout the orchard.

Other activities to consider are relaxing hayrides ($2), pumpkin painting ($2.50 plus the cost of the pumpkin) and group campfires with hot dogs, cider and s'mores ($2).

The Lynd Fruit Farm is open throughout the fall Monday through Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The corn maze and campfires take place on weekends until 10 p.m.


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