Every time I drive out to Red Hook, I see a “U-Pick” sign advertising whatever happens to be in season. The last few times the word “Cherries!” has called out to me, just begging me to drive over and find this farm. So today we decided to pack a picnic lunch and take the boys over there mid-day for something different to do. Since Drew was on his lunch break, he also came with us.
I’ve picked strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, and pumpkins, but never cherries and I was really looking forward to it! The farm was much more rustic than other places we’ve picked before and I kind of liked that. There were tractors, chickens, barns, but no Duramax Vinyl Storage Sheds. No, this place was totally country and I loved it! The boys had such fun picking the cherries. They’re much less work than blueberries, and I think that might have had something to do with it 😉 Our basket was quickly filled and we decided to have our sandwiches.
I always want to pack these quaint little picnic baskets, and it doesn’t usually happen. That’s when I remind myself that it doesn’t have to be perfect. A couple of ham and cheese sandwiches and a box of Goldfish crackers was just fine. And picking buckets make a great place to sit 🙂
We were gone just over an hour, but picked a ridiculous amount of sour cherries. I plan to make some sour cherry preserves as well as some brandied cherries for wintertime sours and Manhattans. I think we have somewhere between 8 and 10 pounds here!
Laura complained most of the time (she was having a very cranky day), but it was such fun for the boys. While I love to plan most of our outings, sometimes you just can’t be spur-of-the-moment decisions!
More and more people are enjoying the outdoors. As more people goes for that healthy lifestyle it’s important to consider the foods that we eat. Make sure that you watch what you and your family eats by packing something delicious and healthy for those activities. picnic baskets