BUSHELS OF FUN AT CORE OF VISIT TO APPLE COUNTRY.Byline: Carla Sanders San Gabriel Valley The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. Tribune I once worked with a man who was allergic to apples (and walnuts, too). If you are similarly afflicted af·flict tr.v. af·flict·ed, af·flict·ing, af·flicts To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on. [Middle English afflighten, from afflight, , don't go near Oak Glen Oak Glen, California, is a small apple growing community situated between the San Bernardino Mountains and the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The area has been growing apples and other crops for over 150 years, however the native peoples have benefitted from the bounty of acorns . If, on the other hand, you relish the sweet crr-unnch of a crisp juicy Red Delicious Noun 1. Red Delicious - a sweet eating apple with bright red skin; most widely grown apple worldwide Delicious - variety of sweet eating apples , the tart treat of a Granny Smith or the in-between flavor of a Rome Beauty, then head for the hills. The hills of Oak Glen. A mere 15 minutes north of Interstate 10 at Yucaipa, Oak Glen is basically a four-mile stretch of road through the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains San Bernardino Mountains, part of the Coast Range, S Calif., extending c.60 mi (100 km) NW and SE through San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Notable peaks are San Bernardino Mt. (10,630 ft/3,240 m) and Mt. San Gorgonio (11,485 ft/3,501 m). lined with orchards, ranches and stores, all devoted to the community's main crop: apples. More than 60 varieties are grown here and are mashed, mulched, dipped, sliced, cut and crunched into every conceivable food and beverage F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage," which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods. . Cider, cake, pies, strudels, turnovers, butter and sauce are concocted from the broken-down apples, while the whole ones are candied can·died adj. Permeated, covered, encrusted, or cooked with sugar: candied sweet potatoes. candied Adjective coated with or cooked in sugar: and carmelized, with chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts and M&Ms. A few varieties come into season in August and September, but the main harvest runs through October and November, trailing into December. During this time, the area is packed with visitors who revel in all things apple. The crisp, clear, cool (sometimes chilly) mile-high climate is a nice bonus. Oak Glen was a fall favorite when I was a child, and now it's becoming an annual tradition with my own family. It's a perfect weekend-day excursion as several farms host hay and pony rides, provide pumpkin patches and petting zoos, and offer a dose of local history. Of the seven ranches and 11 orchards, Parrish Pioneer Ranch is the oldest. The first Oak Glen apple tree was planted on the ranch in the late 1860s. The ranch includes a gift shop, antiques store, snack bar, apple shed, picnic area and farm animal park (including eight peacocks). Riley's Farm & Orchard's roots harken har·ken v. Variant of hearken. Verb 1. harken - listen; used mostly in the imperative hark, hearken listen - hear with intention; "Listen to the sound of this cello" to the 1870s and today the place features U-pick apples, pears and berries; U-press cider; a hoedown hoe·down n. 1. A square dance. 2. The music for a square dance. 3. A social gathering at which square dancing takes place. ; hayride hay·ride n. A recreational ride in a large wagon or other vehicle piled with hay. ; general mercantile store and living history tours. Snow-Line Orchard is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and continues to use the same cider press of founder Isaac Ford. Among the specialties are cherry-apple and raspberry-apple blends. Los Rios Rancho has been operated by the Rivers family since 1906 and serves up its special 3-pound apple pie (but you'd swear at least 5 pounds of sliced apples are piled up in those pre-baked pies). A petting zoo, cookout and other activities are offered on the weekends. The Law Ranch, under ownership of the Law family since 1931, has a cider mill, Apple Tree gift shop and restaurant (the first in the area in 1953) along with the retail apple shed. Wilshire's Apple Shed features homebaked goods and offers visitors a taste of about seven or eight apples at any time. The Coffee Shed provides tasty pastries and lunch. Owner Jo Anne Wilshire is a descendant of an Oak Glen founder. At Wood Acres, owners Jim and Pat Wood specialize in unusual and antique varieties, such as the Cox Orange Pippin, the Pink Pearl and the Stamen stamen, one of the four basic parts of a flower. The stamen (microsporophyll), is often called the flower's male reproductive organ. It is typically located between the central pistil and the surrounding petals. Winesap. Aside from the apples, there are lots of other diversions. The Peddler's Pack is a gallery of artisans. Oak Tree Village includes restaurants, a candy store/kitchen and shops that sell items such as Pendleton wear and souvenirs. Mountaintown has a live animal park, trout pond and special attractions. There really is something for everyone, and the best part for us is that it's just a couple of hours away. IF YOU GO Directions: Take Interstate 10 east and exit at Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa or Oak Glen Road in Beaumont. Follow the loop and the signs for Oak Glen, which is about 10 miles from the freeway. Hours: Most orchards and businesses are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during the season; weekend hours may extend longer at some places. Information: The Oak Glen Applegrowers Association, (909) 790-0307. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion