What a fun filled day we had! Teena and I packed up the kids and headed to Julian for the day. It is a small, historical gold mining town located about an hour east of San Diego. It took us about 1.5 hrs to get there. We went with one thing in mind: apples! They are known for apple orchards so we went intentionally to pick apples. Thought it would be fun for the kids! Unfortunately, due to navigational situations, we missed the orchards! Couldn't find them! But we had fun walking the streets of Julian - up and down and all around. Teena and I had the kids do a scavenger hunt (we picked up the lists at city hall). It had a list of historial questions that needed to be answered, giving us a chance to discover the entire town. Each historical site that was on the list to visit had a little plaque that the kids had to read in order for them to find their answers. On the back of the list was the map of the town that helped us locate each site. They wanted to complete and return the list so that they could be placed in the city's monthly drawing (grand prize: $50). What a great way to see the town and to keep the kids busy (a good way to disguise the cute shops and restaurants).
I packed a little picnic for all of us which came in handy after all that walking! We tried freshly made apple cider (there is nothing like it!) and the highlight of the day? Freshly baked apple pie! To die for! It was the best, ever! There were a number of different pie shops to choose from but since Mom's had a line out the door, we picked ours up at Julian's Pie Company. Teena and I both agreed that we picked a good place because their pie was made to perfection! The crust was perfectly flaky and each slice held up to its own - no runs and loaded with stacks of sliced apples. I wish I took a picture of it. OH well!
I packed a little picnic for all of us which came in handy after all that walking! We tried freshly made apple cider (there is nothing like it!) and the highlight of the day? Freshly baked apple pie! To die for! It was the best, ever! There were a number of different pie shops to choose from but since Mom's had a line out the door, we picked ours up at Julian's Pie Company. Teena and I both agreed that we picked a good place because their pie was made to perfection! The crust was perfectly flaky and each slice held up to its own - no runs and loaded with stacks of sliced apples. I wish I took a picture of it. OH well!
Oh, and because we missed the apple orchards, we stopped by a little market/produce stand on the way home in a town called Wynola (outside Julian) and I purchased their locally grown and organic apples (there were too many types of apples to recall their names- but one was Fuji) and I tell ya - it tasted like they injected sugar in each one - that's how sweet they were! YUMMY! It was a fun trip and a scrumptious one, too! I highly recommend this place and as an annual family trip!
