Julian Apple Days

If you are from my neck of Southern California, an autumn trip to Julian is a necessary seasonal rite of passage. Just as the morning air turns crisp, and the sunlight fades from brilliant to golden, natives know it is time to make the annual trek northeast through the Cuyamaca Mountains to the apple capital of SoCal. Last weekend, the Menghini Winery hosted Julian Apple Days with apple picking, an arts and crafts sale, and fabulous varieties of made-with-apples foods. We checked out the vendors stands, chatted with the owner/ brewer of the Julian Hard Cider, and watched the young children rock out to old-timey banjo classics. We picked a large bag of apples to turn into a delicious pastry later on this week. Lastly, no one can leave Julian without eating a slice of that famous apple pie from Julian Apple Pie Company or Mom's Pies (if you prefer).

The fruit of the vine

The author hiding in the apple grove

Apple picking is a family affair

Hubby and I liked the macabre artwork

Sometimes you got to climb to reach the best apples

Apple corer - looks icky to me!

Photo courtesy of Hubby and his penchant for old cars