It’s that time of year. Joey in 2008: “Have you picked apples this year?” If you haven’t now is the time. Russell’s Orchard in Essex (Follow signs for Crane’s Beach) has trees loaded with crispy tasty apples that just taste ten times better than apples that have been sitting around in a grocery store. You think Gaia are flavorful? Taste one right off the tree.
If you have small children who need to pick their own pumpkin, take a hayride out to the fields, eat cider donuts fresh out of the machine, or pet a bunny you need to go next weekend to Russell’s Orchard. Click here for how Pick your Own. Hayrides are thrown in free on the weekends.
Find them on Facebook.
If you are an old curmudgeon who thinks a hayride is just for kids think again. The tractor drivers are comedians.
I take this guy’s photo and as he pulls even with me, “Hope my face didn’t break your camera!”
Go early on the weekend as this is very popular although Russell’s is set up to handle a crowd. Plenty of parking and plenty of stuff to do. I didn’t even make it to the winery. This time. Meanwhile I have homemade apple crisp with vanilla ice cream on the menu this week. 298 days until the Blackburn Challenge. Plenty of time to fit into the kayak.
Open 9-5 every day. You miss out on the hayride if you go during the week.
Good Morning Gloucester 
It’s funny you should ask. Took the bean and snoopmad this weekend. Picked apples, had hot donuts and cidar and of course a little bag of candy. Our annual trip to the Orchard with Tee Tee, BJ, Amanda and mommy and of course Mammaw
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The apples this year are huge! I’v never seen the trees so full. I made apple sauce & apple crisp. So Yummy!! If you go, you must try the apple cider popcicles.
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Thank God for orchards instead of huge condo complexes!
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Hey Paul,
I see you’re fitting right into Cape Ann. Yes the apples are excellent and I tend to crave thier cider donuts!
Have a good weekend,
Phil O.
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Wow, that first pic is gorgeous!
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