Delicious and nutritious, apples are the perfect snack and picking them yourself is an enjoyable way for the family to spend quality time in the country. Apple season goes until the end of October, so Benita Baker says head to one of these local orchards for a day of apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, picnics and just plain fun. Be sure to call ahead to ensure availability.
Log Cabin Orchard
Fondly described as “a hidden gem in the bush” by owner Yazmin Duque, this small family-run orchard prides itself on selling “family time memories.” In addition to wagon hayrides through the orchard, there’s a shady picnic area and a small petting zoo. At the heart of the orchard is a 175-year-old cabin, the original homestead of Clarke Moses, an Irish immigrant who settled there in the early 1800s. Lovingly restored by Duque and her husband Darryl Maloney, the cabin serves as a cozy café and general store, selling fresh baked goods, cider, homemade jams and country décor. The house speciality is apple cider sticks, which Mexican-born Duque calls Mexican churros. Also for sale are hamburgers and hotdogs, made from local meat and cooked on apple wood.
Where: 6121 Cabin Rd., Osgoode K0A 2W0
Directions: Exit Hwy. 416 at Roger Stevens Drive and follow Regional Road 6. 20 minutes from west-end Ottawa
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: Parking and all activities free. 1/8 bushel is $8. Fresh apple pies and apple crisp (which can be ordered in advanced) are $10.
Information: logcabinorchard.ca, 613-826-5081
Mountain Apple Orchards
Originally established in 1932, the majority of the nearly 1,000 apple trees in this 25-acre orchard are direct descendants of the original McIntosh tree, first discovered by John McIntosh in 1829. Now owned by the Lyall and Hobson families, there are 12 varieties of apples to pick (depending on the time of year) as well as fresh baked goods, apple cider, apple butter, jams, local honey and candy apples for sale. Also available are pre-picked apples, if you’re not up to it. Kids of all ages will enjoy the wagon rides, navigating the corn maze, exploring the nature trail and frolicking in the straw jump. There is a large shady picnic area, a playground for little ones and fun photo ops.
Where: 10175 Clark Rd., Mountain K0E 1S0
Directions: Exit Hwy. 416 at Hwy. 43. Turn right on Hwy. 22 and left on Bennet Road (which changes into Clark Road). Less than an hour from Ottawa.
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: A 10 lb. basket is $16; 20 lbs. is $27. Cider donuts are $1. All activities and parking are free.
Information: mountainorchards.ca, 613-989-5601
發表於 2015-10-2 21:58
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BENITA BAKER