Eden’s Apples
Joe and I used to go yearly to a spot on the Parkway to renew our vows, United Untied. Not far from the overlook where we later got married, and where Joe presented me with a wedding apple that I ceremoniously ate, we found an old abandoned orchard. Now we vow to pick apples once a year.
In the last couple of years, the apples are ready earlier and we have to pick a month before we used to. And the cows have gotten bossy, which isn’t fun, especially when we bring the grand kids (see HERE). This year we found a different point of entry that completely bypasses the grazing cows.
At one point during our apple picking, I put my bagful of apples on the ground. They spilled out and rolled down a cow path like pin balls in an arcade game. I couldn’t find the flipper!
The orchard is a magical Garden of Eden full of berries and brambles, apples and thistle, butterflies and bees.
It’s a place that has always inspired poetry, like this poem that I wrote in the late ‘90s: Apple picking sacrament /is the irony of Eden / The body and blood / of holy communion / Fruit of her womb / round red blessings / I’m humbled in the presence / of Eve’s holy host.
Now I’m on my way to the Harvest Moon Food Store to buy raisins and nuts. I can practically smell the apple crisp. / Our World Tuesday
August 29th, 2016 4:45 pm
What a delight post and photos ~ what a lovely tradition you have and a wonderful place to pick apples ~ even with the cows ~
Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^
August 29th, 2016 10:07 pm
Romancing the Apple, huh. Very saucy, with a hint satire. Good for you both, for going your own way.
August 30th, 2016 1:36 am
What a great tradition ad such lovely photos to remind you of this year’s trip.
August 30th, 2016 2:12 pm
I love that poem!
August 30th, 2016 4:35 pm
The makings of a great family tradition that could pass down the generations.
August 31st, 2016 5:19 pm
[…] 6. At one point during our recent apple picking at an abandoned apple orchard off the Blue Ridge Parkway, I put my bagful of apples on the ground, and they spilled out and rolled down a cow path like pin balls in an arcade game. I couldn’t find the flipper! See HERE. […]
August 31st, 2016 5:20 pm
Yeah, all that and crisp, too, eh? Drooling.
September 3rd, 2016 4:45 am
What a delightful orchard!