Q-Tip: It's time for Apple Hill

It's October and that can only mean one thing in this part of the country. It's that special time of the year to visit a special place known as Apple Hill, Calif.

What is Apple Hill?

Well, Apple Hill is not a hill. It is a large geographic area. It consists of about 40 different farms featuring all types of fall fruit and vegetable products. That area is about 15 miles east of Placerville.

Apple Hill is about a two-hour drive west of the Carson City area and it is easy to reach. Just drive west on U.S. 50 toward Sacramento until you reach the Carson Exit, just before Placerville.

An easy way to get there is to remember to drive on U.S. 50 from "Carson to Carson."

As might well be imagined, Apple Hill's main attraction is apples, apples, apples.

And, boy oh boy, do they ever have apples and apple products.

If you like apples, you certainly won't be disappointed.

You can buy them by the individual apple, by the bag, by the box or on some farms, you can even pick your own apples, right off the trees.

Those many Apple Hill farms have green, yellow, red or even black-colored apples.

You can select from a wide variety of different types including Rome beauty, Arkansas black, Braeburn, golden delicious, red delicious, Fuji, gala, Rhode Island greening, Jonagold, Jonathan, pippin, Paula red, Granny Smith, winesaps and Stayman winesap.

In addition, if you have a sweet tooth, you can also purchase all kinds of tasty apple products such as cake, cider, doughnuts, fritters, juice, muffins, baked pies, unbaked pies, strudel, turnovers, etc.

If you are interested in buying other fall season fruits or vegetables, you can pick and choose from blackberries, blueberries, Indian corn, dried fruit, grapes, honey, jams, jellies, assorted nuts, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, etc.

And while at Apple Hill, you will find many different arts and crafts shops, cider mills, a rainbow trout fishing pond, a winery, Christmas tree farms, picnic areas, pumpkin patches, etc.

Apple Hill, Calif., a great place to spend an enjoyable day outdoors with the entire family.

However, a word to the wise. Be advised that area is a very popular destination for thousands of visitors at this time of the year. So, go prepared to encounter huge crowds of people, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Once you're there, you could experience a problem in finding a place to park at some of the more popular farms. Their parking lots are normally jammed-packed by late morning or mid-day. You might have to walk a short distance due to lack of parking at the farm you wish to visit.

And while driving in that area, you could encounter momentary gridlock in the mid-afternoons on some of the major back roads or at some of the major intersections.

Once you're at your destination(s), enjoy all that Apple Hill has to offer.

Do it this weekend.