Crisp mornings and cool evenings are among us. The North Face fleeces and clogs have been dragged out of the closet, and the cup of coffee that until recently added to the heat of the day now is a comforting warmth on the way to class.
Fall is upon us and the season's festivities await; apple-picking is one option for celebrating fall.
Carter Mountain Orchard sits on Route 53, a half mile from Monticello, at an elevation of 1,150 feet. According to the orchard's Web site, it is "ideal for growing some of the finest fruit in the east," harvesting apples, peaches, nectarines and pumpkins, depending on the season.
According to orchard owner Ruth Chiles, the orchard has been open to the public for about 25 years and each year the number of visitors is "growing by leaps and bounds."
The orchard provides a variety of activities. Visitors can busy themselves in the orchard picking their own apples, while the less audacious can stick to grabbing already picked fruit out of bins. Guests also can venture up the mountain for a breakfast of apple cider and famous apple cider doughnuts while enjoying a 360-degree view of 40 miles of scenery. For shop-a-holics, the orchard also has a gift shop.
"We have local crafts and everything we sell has been made by people in the area," Chiles said.
Although the orchard's atmosphere is gauged toward families, University students are known to frequent as well, especially during parent's weekend, Chiles said.
"Apple picking seems like a great chance to enjoy the fall, sort of bring back the days of jumping in piles of leaves Dad just raked," third-year College student Christina Princi said. Princi hasn't been apple picking since her childhood, but she hopes to visit Carter Mountain Orchard this fall. "It's a perfect chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful Charlottesville weather and the company of great friends," she said.
October is the busiest month for the orchard because the crop is ripening and needs to be picked. During this time, the orchard takes advantage of its numerous visitors and hosts an Apple Harvest Festival the first two weekends of the month, complete with food, crafts and live music. According to Chiles, on a typical October weekend anywhere between 6,000 and 8,000 people will visit the orchard.
The orchard is open seven days a week from July to Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
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