Apple Picking at Jeter Mountain
Our sweet little Owie boy turned one this last week, and we had fun celebrating him all weekend! On Sunday we headed up to Jeter Mountain Farm for some apple picking. It is about a 45 minute drive north of us in the North Carolina mountains and worth every minute of listening to a fussy baby in their car seat. Jeter is the most sincere orchard I’ve been too, the people are incredible kind and humble, the grounds are deeply cared for, and they have built up their environment be welcoming and full of joy. I live for the tractor ride every time (and fresh apple cider donuts with freshly churned ice cream - heaven). This was our third trip up to visit them since moving here but our first ever for apples!
When I was researching living in this area from afar in California, the fall activity I longer for was visiting Jeter. I would click on the saved flag hovering over the farm in my maps application on my phone regularly. I remember the fall before Owen was born longing to already be in SC and to be visiting this orchard. I just knew even from afar it was going to be a place our family felt welcome and each of us would thoroughly enjoy. I was so, so correct in this assumption! It is like being at Disney Land, but orchard edition.
To bring Owen here for his first birthday was very special. It felt like a dream coming full circle. Owen’s existence and moving to South Carolina both feel like long shots we couldn’t have imagined only a year and a half ago. Now here they are both in harmony bringing blessing and light to our life every day. Sometimes we feel like we’re trudging through life, with all the effort being given and little change taking place. Other times we feel like we’re holding on by the seat of our pants, while life happens at top speed — grabbing onto the wheel, hooting and hollering, down a big slope of change. Last year was the latter. It’s been both hard and good, and we are so tankful for places like Jeter making us feel like home.
Ps. My parents flew out from Arizona to be with us for this special weekend, making the experience even more special! Love you mom and dad.
