Picking apples in North Georgia

Who am I to complain about not having to work for fresh, juicy, crunchy, ruby-red, perfect apples?

Visiting Gilmer County is pleasant any time of the year, but the county dazzles during apple-picking time in autumn. That’s when Ga. 52 morphs into Apple Orchard Alley — named for the string of apple houses and orchards that line both sides of the road.

We spent an afternoon at B.J. Reece Apple Orchards, a sprawling farm that lays claim to 120 acres of apple orchards. Guests reach into the trees and pick their own apples on 50 of those acres.

We happily passed the time by picking apples and also enjoying several other activities. We cruised the grounds aboard a wagon ride and got a big kick out of watching a pig race. We jumped on a new inflatable bouncy built into the sandy ground.

During fall weekends, several of the apple houses hold special events, including hayrides, petting zoos and barbecues. The festivities will really get going in Ellijay during the second and third weekends in October, when locals and visitors celebrate the annual Georgia Apple Festival — this year slated for Oct. 11 and 12 and also the following weekend. For more information go to georgiaapplefestival.org.

After having our fill of all things apple on a recent afternoon, we returned home with a large plastic bag of tree-ripened mountain apples — and made a batch a apple turnovers. A few days later, we whipped up some more.

Now is the time embrace fall treats, and the North Georgia mountains offer several sweet spots. Here is a look at four of them:

B.J. Reece Orchards. It costs $2 to enter the orchard behind the apple house. But go for the $5 admission, which allows you into both sides of the orchard and also covers the cost of a wagon ride and pig races.

You-pick bags of apples are $6 for half-peck bags, $11 for peck-sized bags and $18 for half-bushel bags.

On Saturdays and Sundays families can make an afternoon of it with several other activities, including a scavenger hunt through the corn field and a cute cow train for the little ones. Fire apples from a cannon for $5 a bucket (about 10 apples). You can cruise the grounds aboard a wagon ride and meet the denizens of the petting farm.

Also on Saturdays and Sundays the staff whips up grub for sale, including hamburgers and barbecue. Or just bring a picnic basket to have a relaxing lunch on the grounds and wash it all down with some fresh, homemade apple cider.

The new jumping pillow (inflatable) allows guests to jump and soar and enjoy a view of apple country for $2. Also new this year are two racing ziplines.

The Bakery at Reece Apple House offers apple cider doughnuts, homemade breads and more. Yet, their fried apple pies are the main attraction.

Market and you-pick orchards: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Oct. 31. (Last ticket into the orchards sold at 5 p.m.) $2 and $5 admission prices. B.J. Reece Orchards. 9131 Ga. 52 East, Ellijay. 706-276-3048, reeceorchards.com.

Hillcrest Orchards. This hot spot holds its annual Apple Pickin' Jubilee Saturdays and Sundays through October, with live country music, pig races and lots of Southern-style food such as barbecue.

The $7 general admission allows guests access to the pick-your-own apple orchards and all sorts of fun things, including a 19-hole mini golf course. Apple varieties include Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty and Arkansas Black.

Bags of you-pick apples run $7 and $11. At select times during the day kids can milk Buttercup, the resident Jersey milk cow. Guests cheer on the swine in the pig races. The staff says some guests come strictly for these races and pack the bleachers.

The John Deere Derby allows kids to race pedal tractor trikes around a track. Children also can brave massive slides in the play areas. Choose from either mule- or tractor-pulled wagon rides through the orchard. And get a dose of mountain history by stepping inside the new Children’s Apple Museum, where you’ll meet Johnny Appleseed.

Other attractions require an additional fee. Cozy up to critters at the petting farm ($3). Hop on a pony for a ride ($5 each), and catch air on the bungee jump ($7).

If all the activity works up an appetite, there’s food aplenty — including hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey legs and other fare — for sale in the festival area. The bakery and ice cream parlor sells fried apple pies, apple fritters, homemade ice cream and more. If you can’t find certain apples in the orchard, more varieties are available for sale inside the market.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28. $7 general admission. Hillcrest Orchards, 9696 Ga. 52 East, Ellijay. 706-273-3838, hillcrestorchards.net.

Red Apple Barn at Little Bend Orchard. Guests can pick a half peck for $6, a peck for $10, a half bushel for $16, and a bushel for $30. You might come across Fuji, Jonagold, Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious and the farm's own Pritchett Golden varieties.

On Saturdays and Sundays visitors can hitch a ride on a tractor-pulled wagon for a 10-minute orchard and farm tour. Each rider gets a cup of cold cider, an apple cider doughnut and the opportunity to pick an apple ($5 a person).

Apples aren’t the only things folks can pick at Little Bend. You-pick pumpkins ($5 to $10) are available through October.

Also, new this season is the chance to pick brightly colored wildflowers for just 25 cents per flower. And you can take in the gorgeous scenery on a newly built wooden bench with panoramic views of autumn splendor.

Customers can stock up on local goodies at the Red Apple Barn store. Apples, ciders, sorghum syrup, peanut brittle, pecans, apple pies and other treats fill the shelves.

Red Apple Barn store: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 12:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays. You-pick apples: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays through October or until all apples have been picked. $5 for admission and tour. Red Apple Barn at Little Bend Orchard, 3379 Tailscreek Road, Ellijay. 706-635-5898, redapplebarn.com.

R&A Orchards. This 70-acre farm is fronted by a large roadside market selling a variety of jar goods such as salsas, dressings, juices, jams and apple butter, as well as plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Tours of the orchard are available every weekend in September and include a wagon ride and picking your own apples. Admission (which includes a wagon ride) is free. Apples sell in $8 and $14 bags.

Pick-your-own may continue into October, depending on the supply of apples (go to the website to check).

If you are hungry, you are in luck: A bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings goes for $4. Wash it down with a cider slushie.

Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Orchards: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September (until apples run out). Free. R&A Orchards. 5505 Ga. 52 East, Ellijay. 706-273-3821, randaorchards.com.