Early Apples

Romac Orchards, Acton Maine

Every year that I remember, the Dumas family - or some combination of family and friends - has picked apples at Romac Orchards. It is an amazing spot on the top of a hill with an incredible view.

Picking well over 100 pounds - maybe nearer to 200 hundred some years - we are definitely apple eating maniacs! Like I mentioned before about 3 pans of apple crisp, it takes a lot of apples to make that much crisp!

The news has reported that the apples are ready, and it is time to pick Macs, but I need to say that last weekend was a little early. There were a lot of apples ready for picking, but it took a little extra time to be choosey finding only the ripest apples on the tree. I tasted a few different apples while I was there - a great benefit to PYO! They are crisp and delicious, a little tart, but perfect for a tasty apple pie. Despite the slow picking, I came home with about 25 pounds of apples.

This little Macoun sign had it's own special patch of grass. I walked up to this tree and sign, and there was a perfect square patch of freshly grown grass. Looks like they took extra special care to get this grass looking it's finest especially for this little sign. We do love Macouns! They are great to eat, and also look nice with the darker skin when they are ripe.

Sadly the Empires weren't ready. They are extra crispy and they stay that way for months after you pick them. It is a great addition to any baked apples to get a little bite even when you are using the end of your supply. We didn't pick enough apples to get through the fall, so we will be planning another visit to Romac in the coming weeks to pick some of these crispy Empires.

The visit wouldn't be complete without a hay ride around the orchard. This boy has driven the tractor the last couple of years. I feel thankful when I see people like him, with a profound respect for what he has, the land, his family, and every day that he can share this with others. To be so young, but to have so much figured out offers a perspective that we don't often see in the younger generation. (Fresh out of this generation... I am comfortable making these statements :) ) It is funny to watch him checking over his shoulder every minute or so - just to make sure we haven't suddenly fallen out - or gone sliding down the hill!

Part of this ride is talking about how the orchard used to be. How many trees they had when I was little. Dad and Aunt Jeanne talk about where we used to pick and how the ice storm destroyed so many of this small orchard's trees. Every year since, there are more and more trees, but still not the way it was 10 years ago. The first picture in the row above is one of the many piles of apple trees that still sit on the property - a memory of how the orchard used to grow.

So - another fall begins! Two bags of apples on the kitchen table, one pie on the counter and apple chutney on the way. Apple muffins, apple crisp, apple pancakes, heck, maybe apple whoopie pies! We will just have to wait and see.

I'll get my peely gizmo greased up and ready to go and my cinnamon supply refreshed and we'll be on our way!

Thanks Dad, Amy and Aunt Jeanne for a great apple picking adventure!!