Our friends, Steve and Cyndi, invited us for a day in an area known as Apple Hill, less than an hour from Tahoe.  Originally pears were the big crop here until a fungus wiped them out in the 1950s.  Local ranchers slowly recovered, replacing their pears with apples. Today an organization of some 50 ranches feature not only apples, but homemade goodies such as apple pies and fresh-squeezed juice.  We came for the pies!

This sour cream apple was the best pie.  We bought a whole one and split it!

Steve's daughter, Iris, joined us which made the day that much more merry.  We all embraced the pumpkin patch.    It wouldn't be fall without being in one!

Strolling in the apple trees was pretty magical.

Some things just make me smile.  This classic sign with reference to one of my favorite childhood shows, Lost in Space...

...and this amazing row of yellow, leafless flowers!

I fell in love with this Carnival Squash and had to take it home.  Absolutely the most unique "pumpkin" I have ever seen.

Next stop was at Jack Russell Farm Brewery.  We were drawn by the cute dog logo and stayed long enough for the Steves to sample some of this micro beer.

We ended our fabulous day by introducing one of our favorite Placerville spots, Z-Pies, to the rest of the group.  This seemed apropos being as the day's theme seemed to be pies.

The crispness of the day, our fun-loving companions and the extraordinary environment all came together to make our first foray into Apple Hill a tremendous success.