Apple of Necessity
Beautiful things can be created from stress and pressure, like diamonds for example. Our next stay was a result of exactly those things and gave us diamonds worth of memories and experience.
On Friday September 3rd our stay Mahalo Farms was scheduled to end in less than 24 hours, At that junction we found ourselves without lodging or a next stop. Originally the plan was to travel up to Canada for a bit, however that plan was put on the back burner. Turns out, over Labor Day weekend, tons of people go traveling. Which means it was near impossible to schedule a COVID test, and at the time, Canada was requiring them for entry. Also because of the holiday weekend, hotel prices were inflated and hard to find for Saturday night… Stress and pressure.
To our amazement, our hosts at Mahalo offered to put in a call. They told us Matt’s parents own an apple orchard, enjoy visitors, might need help and are located about two hours away. We held our breath, crossed our fingers and said a prayer to the orchard gods that something good would happen. Thankfully, they said yes, come stay.
Saturday morning we packed up the truck and headed back to New Hampshire. We pulled into Apple Annie’s and our jaws dropped. The grounds of the orchard were gorgeous- like out of a movie setting. And to make matters even better, the house was filled with wonderful people who we are now privileged to call friends.
Laurie and Wayne started on their path to becoming orchard owners 16 years ago. (Wayne tells this story much better, but I’ll give it my best shot). One evening. Laurie was at book club. At this book club, which she has been a member of for 35 years, a guest was invited to speak who had a similar life story as a book they had just read. The book was about a couple that had an orchard without children to pass it on to. Joanie Pratt, who was the current owner of Apple Annie at the time, was invited to come. Currently they were in a similar situation- they were soon looking to retire from the orchard business, but wanted to ensure Apple Annie went to the right hands. The idea to buy Apple Annie’s buzzed around in Laurie’s brain and would not leave. After many serendipitous events and working along side the Pratts for 5 years, Wayne and Laurie became the owners of Apple Annie’s in 2011.
Laurie and Wayne were inspiring to work along side and get to know. Their energy seems boundless as they play pickle ball several days a week before in the early morning before attending to the day’s tasks. They make a great team as Laurie is a continuous source of ideas, inspiration, taking calls and constantly circulates between tasks. Wayne sees each task through and judiciously crosses off item after item on Laurie’s to-do list. With all the stress of getting ready for the apple season there’s still plenty of jokes and storytelling to go around from both of them. At the end of the day time is taken to sit down, enjoy good food, company and a cold beer.
The original plan was to spend a few days on the orchard and get to Canada as soon as possible. Instead of a weekend, we spent 10 amazing days on the farm, helping them get ready for picking season. In Addition to learning a lot about the day to day needs of an apple orchard, we were able to meet the whole family and make promises to return someday. Apple Annie is low spray, using natural disease and pest control methods, which makes for some of the best apples we’ve ever tasted. It’s especially satisfying to pick an apple, shine it on your sleeve and take a crisp juicy bite. Yes, just like in the movies.
