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An Apple A Day As the weather cools and the seasons transition from summer to fall, many will be making a much-deserved trek to the nearby mountains for some outdoor therapy. While there, plan a day spent exploring a working orchard and picking some tasty treats. ** // B Y K A R I N FA B R Y- C U S H E N B E R Y
STEPP’S HILLCREST ORCHARD The Stepp family’s 100-acre working farm and apple orchard has been serving residents and guests of Hendersonville, North Carolina for over 50 years. Situated near Ashville and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the vistas from the farm are beautiful for us folk who are used to Florida’s flat terrain. The farm opened this season in mid-August with ripe Ginger gold and gala apples to pick. Any given year, though, they grow and harvest 21 varieties of apples. Usually grapes are available, as well, but due to a severe freeze in April, that’s not the case this year. The atmosphere is laid back, and the family invites you to pack a picnic lunch and find a spot in the orchard to settle in for a snack. Each fall, Stepp’s is where to be for all your fall fun. Whether your youngsters are on a mission to conquer the five-acre corn maze, expend some energy on the jump pad or select the perfect pumpkin for carving, it’s easy to fill an Red Apple Barn afternoon with outdoor adventure. Weekends offer a tractor-pulled wagon ride and the opportunity to shoot apples at targets using a cannon. And let’s be honest, what kid wouldn’t want to do that? An educational nature trail provides plenty of photo ops along the way and farm machinery is available for exploring. The u-pick sunflowers are beautiful and ready to take home. Before heading out for the day, be sure to pick up some apple cider and pumpkin donuts as a special treat. 26
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Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard // 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC // (828) 685-9083 // steppapples.com
RED APPLE BARN The Pritchett family farm started with a purchase of 140 acres of land in 1927. Over the years, additional acres were added. The first trees were planted in 1965, and the namesake red barn was built in 1971. Since then, the barn and farm
has been added to, but one thing remains the same: the family’s down-home desire to provide neighbors and customers with a wonderful experience and tasty fruit. U-pick was added in 2010 and a pumpkin patch in 2012. Today the farm is a popular fall destination—and for good reason. This year’s U-pick portion of the farm was opened to visitors on August 29 throughout the season, various apple types will be ripe for the picking. The availability always depends on the weather and the crop’s success, but the farm is known for its Granny Smith, Fuji, Pink Lady, Rome Beauty, Honeycrisp, Gala and Red Delicious varieties, among others.