Orchard visit #1: Minnetonka Orchards

I LOVE this time of year.

And I LOVE a deal. So the 2 for one + free for age 3 and under deal....Sold. 

You're not 3 for long, so all the better reason to take advantage. And let's start on Labor Day weekend, when everyone else is busy with everything else.

Face painting?

Check.

Obligatory "this is how tall I am" in 2012 photo?

Check-y cheese.

Petting a calf that looks worse for the wear? 

Check. 

This guy was surrounded by kids and I think just wanted to rest. We moved on.

To this.

The Apple Express.

You didn't freak out in the tunnel. That's good.

The horns were a nice touch.

We could hear you from the opposite side of the corn field. 

And wondered if the driver goes batty from the honk HONK hoNK HOnk HONK!

A bit of time for play on a train, dining car and all. Which got us to thinking...

Fresh apple cider. YUM. And an apple doughnut? You bet.

Serenaded by a jazz 3 piece sitting up on the hill.

The half dozen or so kids that were there enjoyed running up the incline*, dancing and otherwise frolicking like there was nothing else in the world more important.

Good for you.

*Whose kid took a tumble? Ours. I knew it was going to happen, and when it did it was time to move on...

And a hayride back to the entrance. Grandma Candy accompanied us - your Dad will join us later in the fall when we return to use our second pass :)

And I'm thinking the ride through these woods will be a spectacular view when the colors change.

Princess of the hay stack.

Prince of the pumpkin stack.

Nice visit.