Fall=Apple Picking

When I was younger, I used to imagine a Winter covered in snow, just like some modern day muggles imagine Hogwarts. It was foreign and mysterious. Basically a fantasy and imaginary world that soon turned into a harsh reality after a few years under my belt as a Mainlander. But Fall... Fall has very little downside in my book. 

Given that there is no Fall in Hawaii, you can probably imagine why this season still holds its novelty. The leaves, the cool air, the sweaters and boots, the hot apple cider and s'mores; Autumn just speaks to me like no other time of year.

When I look back on our time here in Champaign Urbana, there are few locations that excite me like Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch. The sights, the smells, the small town feeling of isolation and no place feels more like Fall to me. So we packed up and met our friends for some family fun.

The trees are turning

Leaves everywhere

Look up

Apple cider donut

Apple picker 

Picking apples right off the tree

Corn maze

It was actually a pretty cold evening, so we went indoors to warm up with the hot apple cider. Apple butter and pumpkin pies fill the air of the indoor shop of the orchard. But my eyes are on the apple chipotle barbecue sauce. No visit to the orchard is complete without BBQ sauce. Pork chops will be in our future. But for now, my Fall appetite is satisfied with our annual visit to Curtis.

Happy Fall everyone!

-Akemi-chan