Saturday, September 29, 2012

Apple Pickin' in Sweet Home Virginia

 



Day 290:

It's not often the folks in this house, including you, don't have any plans, Conor.  Not on Saturday, and not on any other day of the week... This morning would find your Mom and me milling about the house doing arbitrary chores and, upon completion of said chores, found ourselves standing in the kitchen saying, "What do you wanna do?"  "I dunno, what do you wanna do?" "I dunno, got any ideas?"  This "who's on first" (Abbott and Costello.  Timeless comedy, Boy'O) went on for about 10 minutes until the decision was made to take advantage of the brilliantly clear Autumn day and beautiful Virginia countryside...

With the decision made it would only be a matter of time before we were all up and rolling, Conor.  We loaded up the truck and headed for points West.  In specific, a beautiful little part of the world known as Delaplane, VA and a favorite area of our home state, Son.  Delaplane is a region of rolling green hills, deep creeks, small rivers, and huge views.  A motorcyclists delight.  Yes Conor, Delaplane is wide open sweet Virginia; it's horse country, miles of vineyards, and mountains of orchards.  A perfect place to spend a sunny, 65 degree day.

When we finally reached our destination, Hollis Farms, we marched straight into the apple orchards and started picking.  For me, Son, apples and peaches are my favorite fruits if not two of my favorite foods. I could eat 'em for days!  So when we finally reached a really nice apple, I flipped out my trusty knife, cut you off a little slice, and placed it in your tiny mouth.  You were in Heaven, Son!  Sinking your little bottom teeth into the flesh of the fruit, you sucked that sliver dry!  Well, after that I couldn't help but just offer you the whole apple!  It was an experience for you to be sure, but just as much so for your Mom and me.

Eventually making our way to Three Foxes Vineyard, we'd spend the remainder of the afternoon taking it easy in the cool, hill country breeze and the warm Virginia sunshine.  Considering the day started with what felt like nothing to do, turned out to be quite the afternoon...  Our booty?  About 4 pounds of apples and two massive pumpkins.  And so for the next few weeks it'll be apple EVERYTHING, Boy'O!  Starting tomorrow morning with your Daddy's very own apple pancakes...

I love you, Conor.  Each and every experience is better than the last...
-Dad


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