pears

Who swiped summer? Seems I was just chasing critters around my backyard at midnight and now pears and apples are almost ready to pick. If time keeps speeding up like this, I need to buy a new bathing suit right now.

Dashed out of town Wednesday to refill my inner orchard fantasies. Sometimes a girl just needs to sit among growing fruit to find some peace and quiet. Had a wonderful time getting lost in the pear orchards in Parkdale. Very cute town.

Then on to grab cookies and jam at Packer Orchards and Bakery, then lunch by the Columbia River at The Riverside Restaurant in Hood River, Oregon. Having folks deliver tasty food to your table is actually one of the seven wonders of the world. Far as I’m concerned.

A large ship at anchor in the river piqued my interest. Turns out it’s the National Geographic cruise ship Quest! Imagine, science tourism going on right outside our restaurant window. I learned something new and here is a link to check it out. https://www.expeditions.com/itineraries/columbia-and-snake-rivers-journey/ Sign me up!

Part of the reason for the trip to Hood River, besides buying jam and cookies, was to do some research for the book I’m editing. How wonderful is it to be a writer who has to escape to the country and buy treats as part of my writing research?

Since the apples and pears are not ready to pick for two to three more weeks, we have to go back in October. Oh, darn it.

Here’s hoping you’re looking forward to the harvest and finding time to sit under a tree or hug one.

It really helps.

Happy harvest!

P.S. If you want to spy on one of my favorite places, check out http://www.packerorchards.com and

http://www.packerorchards.com/the-bakery

Nothing like an Apple Cider donut snack to refuel! I love hands-on research trips!

(Yes, a bit of wildfire smoke hid the mountain, but donuts help everything.)

by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

On this first day of September it’s fun to look forward to the fruits of Fall. That’s what I do to distract myself from the coming shorter days when the sun retreats to Bermuda and we get longer nights and shorter light. That rhymes!

Alpacas, sun and a pasture with a view. What more could you ask for?

Part of this ritual included escaping the storm we had over the weekend and venturing off to Hood River last Sunday. The promise of sun peeking out after the wind and rain squalls had us driving out-of-town up the Columbia River Gorge, one of my favorite spots in Oregon.

First was lunch at the Sixth Avenue Bistro for the famous Walnut and Pear Salad; which I have threatened to lick the plate to get all the maple vinaigrette. Then on to Packer Orchards and Bakery to the Cookie Bar and picking up some pears and jams and a cookie, of course.

Then the highlight, baby alpacas and yarn at Foothills Yarn & Fiber! Since getting to the alpacas is quite easy with a right turn right after the Cookie Bar, it’s the perfect expedition. The baby alpacas were four to six weeks old and had already been shorn of their coats.

We watched the babies lie in the sun, chase squirrels and chew grass.

: Summertime and the liv’in is easy. I’m sure this little guy is singing that song in the sun.

A fabulous outing! A thorough recon of the yarn shop turned up two skeins of alpaca yarn I had to have, plus a backup pair of my favorite cold weather alpaca boot socks. I use them as slippers. Toasty toes this winter.

Pear a palooza! Are these ripe and ready or what?

On the trek back down to Highway 35 I stopped to take some quick photos of the laden pear trees ready to drop their beautiful bounty.

September is pear month and harvest time in Hood River, so we might have to come back. There are some new hard ciders I need to try to support the local economy. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I’m telling you, this harvest season shopping is a great way to enjoy Fall! It might become my new fav season yet. Fresh pears anyone?

Happy Harvest Time!

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On September, Pears And Alpacas

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