County Line Orchard - Hobart, Indiana

By Lu

Apple Tree at County Line Orchard

My friend, Sandrine, loves fruit picking. This year alone, she took me to cherry picking, blueberry picking, and lastly apple picking. She must have been a fruit tree on another life. That's the only explanation I could come up with. However, there's something quite fun about picking a fruit directly from its tree. I could definitely appreciate it better. I wouldn't pick up an apple at the grocery store to buy, as I'm not much of an apple eater. I would pick up some apples that have been cut up and treated, and packed in a little snack pack however, if I was on a diet. But, that's it. The shiny apples at the grocery store usually can't tempt me.

However, I really had a different opinion when I saw the ripe golden and crimson apple hanging on the tree. Wow, it's so tempting. It's calling at you to pick one up and sink your teeth into it. I am definitely the daughter of Eve. We're all doomed.

County Line Orchard is not the Garden of Eden; however, it's pretty damn fun. It is located not too  far from Chicago, in a town called Hobart, Indiana. The worst part of going there was the Chicago traffic going towards Indiana, and then, the line to get to the parking lot. It was quite long and tedious. They definitely had gained popularity lately as I was there last year and I didn't remember this big of a crowd nor that intense of a traffic.

Yesterday, it was a gorgeous day. It was like summer with Fall foliage every where. It felt a little weird for me. I actually prefer going apple picking when the air is a little cool, and you have to wear at least a sweat shirt. What I was really looking forward to was the hot cider at the end. Yesterday was definitely too hot for a hot cider. Bummer. I think it also added to the abundance of people coming to the orchard.

Last year, when Ri and I went to County Line Orchard, it was more my style. There weren't much traffic; the air was cool; and we were wearing sweatshirts. Perfect. Yet, I had tons of fun this year too because I was actually exploring of what the Orchard had to offer.

The Barn

Coming in to the Orchard, you would see the big looking barn bearing their name. That barn was quite grand for being a barn. It was a big place, much bigger than the other nearby farms or orchards. The barn was actually their country store. It was quite nice and you could browse a lot of different things from Christmas stuff (yes, already), homemade jams and sauces, ciders, and donuts! That was my main reason for going here - the apple spiced donuts and the pumpkin donuts.  They're so delicious and fresh! Last year, Ri and I couldn't have enough of it. This year, I deliberately only bought a half of dozen to eat and share because if not, I'd be in trouble.

The store, and donut shop - that's the donut line

The apple spiced donuts were so fresh and tender. It was sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and tasted like Autumn in your mouth. The pumpkin donuts tasted so rich and sweet. They said pumpkin is an acquired taste; but, if you didn't like this pumpkin donut - there's something seriously wrong with you. With a glass of cold milk, I was in heaven eating that pumpkin donut.

I am really going all over the place today with my story. I just got caught up about the donuts, since they're the gem of the County Line Orchard.

There were a bunch of us going yesterday. Besides Sandrine and her family, Evi and Nate also went. Plus, there were two other families that came along (Sue & Gardner and their kids, and Evi & Nate's neighbors). The more the merrier!

If it were up to me, I would go to the donut shop first and that was it. However, we went to look for Sandrine and Scott. They got there first and they were chillin' out eating lunch and listening to the band on stage that played pretty damn good Bluegrass music. Yeah, people often didn't realize that I appreciate Bluegrass and Country musics. Growing up in farm town America who could blame me? Last year, my brother in law, David, screamed at my sister, Ri, since they were driving around Khatmandu, and my sister was playing Kenny Chesney's song "She thinks my tractor's sexy." Yes, it was my fault as I was the one who sent the song to her. I thought the song was a hoot.

Apple Spiced Donuts

Pumpkin Donuts

Ribbon Fries, Corns, and Fresh-squeezed Lemonade

I had a ball sitting on a picnic table, eating my burger and ribbon fries, drinking fresh squeezed lemonade, listening to banjo and mandolin in the background, watching pretty leaves that changed colors. It was just so so nice. I could really forget about everything else and submerged myself in the moment. The restaurant serves the typical American food - grilled cheese, burgers, hotdogs, fries, fried mushroom. They also sell roasted corns on the cob. Yum.

Next - time to buy admission tickets. If you're just planning to do apple picking, just get the general admission for $1. You get a tractor ride around the orchards that would take you to different stops. If you have kids and want to do more, you can get the all access. Then, you will have access to the kids farm, the moo choo trains, corn maze, and pumpkin patch.

Pumpkins...

Hay Maze at the kids farm

Since we had a lot of kids in our group, we went to the kids farm next. It was kinda fun looking at the farm animals - pigs, goats, some turkeys and silkies, rabbits, donkeys. Kids seem to have fun there. They were running around in the hay maze. So cute.

Next - tractor ride to the apple orchards. The tractor wagon stopped at the corn maze. We passed that one. I was glad we did because I am actually allergic to corn field or husk. I didn't plan on getting rashes all over me. My old high school boyfriend, Toby, took me to sweet corn picking years ago in Mendota. That night, I broke out in hives. It wasn't pretty and I haven't been back to a corn field ever since.

We also passed the pumpkin patch. None of us were feeling like carrying a big ol' pumpkin around today. But they sure were pretty!

Finally, we got to the apple orchard. County Line has so many variety of apples. The first row we saw was Suncrisp apple. They were green but tasty. Yesterday was the harvest time for the Jubilee Fuji so that was what we were after. Other than those, they also have Golden Delicious, Shizuka, McIntosh, Keepsake, Granny Smith, Gala, and some other types I've never heard of.

Fuji Apples

I was totally in love looking at the Fujis dangling from the branches of the trees. They looked so beautiful and you couldn't help but wanting to reach and pick them. I never planned to fill a bag with apples. I didn't last year. But, this year, I actually had quite a full bag. I just couldn't help myself. My co-workers were happy today when I gave them some apples. The Fuji apples were so sweet and succulent. They could have been a little more crispy but I love the sweetness of it. We spent a good amount of time picking apples and sat around enjoying the scenery. Sandrine's son, Brode, had tons of fun too playing with the apples. We had a lot of fun too.

Suncrisp Apples

Then, after having enough of the sun and apples, we went back to the barn for finally some donuts! We waited in line for the fresh donuts. The line was so long but it was moving quite swiftly. Finally we got our case of apple and pumpkin donuts. I was a happy camper.

It was a full day at the orchard. From being focused on the donuts alone, I was actually happy that I did branch out trying other things the orchard had to offer. I can't deny it - Fall is my favorite season. I love the pumpkins, the harvest colors, the mums. Going to an orchard and do apple picking is a very Fall thing to do, and it was a good time. Though this year, it felt like summer - I couldn't deny the fact I had a super great time, with apple donut in one hand, and a Fuji apple on the other hand.

If you're looking to find a Fall activity to do - give this a try! Hopefully, the weather cools down a bit so you can get the hot cider. It just wasn't the same without it. You'll love County Line Orchard, I have no doubt.

The Apple Orchard

General Questions:barn@countylineorchard.com

School Tours:tours@countylineorchard.com

200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, IN 46342
Phone No. 219-947-4477 Fax No. 219-947-7933