One of the things I adore about living in New England is the abundance of great day and weekend trips. I love that in only a couple hours drive (maximum) I can be touring breathtaking mansions in Newport or taking in a sunset over the ocean on Martha’s Vineyard. My favorite day trip though is a seemingly simple one. Every year since I’ve been out of college I’ve made the trek to Cider Hill Farm in northeastern Massachusetts, just a short mile or so from the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. It’s become a bit of a tradition for me, signaling the transition from summer to fall. Originally I would come to pick my own apples and indulge on the sugary apple cider donuts. Over the years, however, I’ve discovered that I also love their raspberries, vegetables, and especially the pick your own peaches. The apples and peaches are especially enjoyable to harvest because they grow along a hill, the top of which provides excellent views of the farm and grounds below. Regardless of what I am picking, my eyes are always bigger than my mouth and I tend to come home with more fruits and veggies than I know what to do with. This typically gives me the opportunity to try out new recipes and do a lot of baking. This year my haul consisted of a TON of peaches (They are being carried down the hill by my boyfriend in the photograph above.). I chose to pick a variety called Earnie’s Choice, a yellow-fleshed freestone peach that is medium to large in size. The peaches closest to the ground didn’t seem to be quite ripe enough so I decided to climb the trees
in order to get to the riper peaches near the top. Generally this is frowned upon, but when you’re only 5’2″ like me it’s the only way to get the good ones. Climbing was way too fun and thanks to the new hiking shoes my boyfriend convinced me to buy I was able to get up and down all in one piece.
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