Sky Top Orchard

October's been flying by so quickly that I began to think we'd miss out on getting to Sky Top Orchard this year.  Well, we made it... too late to pick our own apples, though.  All of the trees have been picked clean, but there was still a lot for us to enjoy at this beautiful orchard in Flat Rock.

Look at how much Keira's grown in just a year!  She's shot up 6 or 7 inches.  She still loves pink!

 

I was looking forward to letting Keira play in Sky Top's large playground of slides, swings & club houses.  Last year, Keira was too little to play along side the big kids but this year I was sure she'd enjoy it more.

And she did for a little while, but her nose had been running and being outside didn't help!  Baby girl just wanted to be held, so we switched gears and headed to the tractor ride.  

It's 2 dollars per person, including the little ones.  It takes you through most of the farm.  The property is large so if you don't have the time to walk it or have a kid a little under the weather, this is the way to go!

 

Part of the reason I love Sky Top Orchard is the panoramic mountain view!  It's called Sky Top for a reason after all.  You can see for miles and the color this time of year is just beautiful.

Wouldn't you love to live in this house with that porch?  All you need to do is open a popular orchard.  Eh, simple enough.

 

Chickens, sheep, goats & peacocks call this barnyard home. We had no idea about this part of the orchard.  Maybe next year we can explore this area little more.  Keira did love seeing the animals from a distance.

  

 

After our tour, we headed to the main building to get what we really came for - apples & donuts!

 

 

The line for the apple donuts was not as long as I had anticipated.  Last year we waited for almost an hour.  This time we only waited for fifteen  minutes!  So here's the deal... if you want to pick your own apples come earlier in the season - late September, early October.  If you're in it for the donuts and don't mind buying a bag of pre-picked apples come towards the end of October!  They actually remain open until December 1st, so if you haven't made it you have some time to make the trip.

It was about this time that Keira really started getting sleepy.  Her poor nose was so red! 

 

She couldn't help but take a little catnap on daddy's shoulder as we waited.  I quietly snapped a family photo.

 We got up to the front and there they were - hot and fresh, the best donuts ever, a once a year treat!

 

Not only are these donuts delicious hot and fresh, they are also good the next day, so we got two dozen!  One dozen was not nearly enough last year.  Each dozen is $9.  It's a little steep, but hey, I totally get it.

 

We also got a small bag of Fuji apples for $6. I'll be making a pie soon!

 

Oh, by the way, they only take cash or check.  We didn't come prepared so we had to pay an extra fee to get some cash out of their ATM. Note to self.

 

Under the circumstances we decided to head home, but as soon as we were on our way we opened the first box of donuts. 

 

 I don't think we even made it out of the parking lot!

Even Keira perked up enough to get a bite! 

Yum!