A change of scenery~~Oak Glen (apple country)

Yesterday our daughter and granddaughter and I took the day and drove up to our local apple country, Oak Glen.  It is about an hour's drive up in the San Bernardino mountains from our desert homes.  We wanted the little one to see the pumpkins and apple ranches up there and there is plenty to do and see!

We stopped in Banning for breakfast and I left my car there.  On the way to the first ranch, two deer crossed the road in front of us.  BONUS!   :-)

We stopped at Riley's Farm first.  You can pick your own basket of apples there and they have many interesting buildings and the staff dress up like Amish farmers!  We walked around and saw the pumpkins, the strawberries, and the raspberries.

Then we headed up the road, to the Los Rios Ranch.  This is where we always took our kids and our daughter fondly remembered it.  They have a petting zoo (the animals were ALL crying for their breakfast!).  They have a smoker and everyone was busy.  Corn was grilling on the BBQ and everyone was doing their chores!  We arrived there about 9:30 and got a parking space right near the front (a GOOD THING when you have a 2 year old!)

We went inside and looked at all the apples for sale.  EXPENSIVE!  And, not necessarily organic :-(   I didn't buy any, but I did buy a jar of apple butter and apricot butter and a coffee mug!  I LOVE my coffee mug and used it this morning!  We took the little one through the gift shop and she took quite a bit of time to check out the Christmas tree!

Then, outside so Grandma could sit down for a while and the little one could eat her chips.  I noticed that the Wetlands Conservacy had some land open for visitors, so off we went to explore their trails.  They are adding a pond in the next couple of weeks, too.  They have a hummingbird garden and a butterfly garden, so I'd LOVE to return and bring the husband.

After that, we hit the road and drove down through Yucaipa and over to Calimesa for lunch at George's German deli.  Oh, my!  LOTS of yummy stuff there.  We bought sandwiches and spent an hour out on their enclosed patio, which had a fountain and goldfish to occupy the little one!!!

Then, home, and Grandma took a 2 hour nap!

 It was a beautiful, autumn day in apple country!!!

 Our daughter and granddaughter.

 "Mommie" pointing out the raspberries.

 On the road to the next apple ranch.

 Grilling corn on the cob at Los Rios Ranch.

The Wetlands Conservacy land.  Nice trails there.

I liked the sign.  People were crossing the road to go pick their own baskets of apples.