Making Apple Cider

Arriving at Hamilton we started the day right with Eric and Jenny hugs. It had been a long two days of driving from Salt Lake City, where Renita had a yearly exam. From there we drove six hundred miles to Hamilton, Montana. Upon arrival Jen told us it was a special weekend, Apple Days. The next morning we went downtown and arriving early were able to buy two homemade apple pies. Taking them back to their house we ate a quick lunch and then went to one of their friends farm where their huge extended family had gathered to make apple cider.

There were quite a few people there but after being shown around we found spots at the cutting tables. Our job there was to inspect the apples for worms and cut the wormy portion away. Apparently, worms give the cider a bad taste. The apples were first giving a bath in a weak bleach solution before moving to a rinsing blue tub. From there they were rinsed a second time in another tub before they were scooped out and moved to the cutting tables, (Eric was the main scooper).

If the apples had a worm hole Renita and I would cut them in half before chopping them into smaller pieces, ( it reminded me of my career as a teacher where I sorted good and bad apples). Next, they were taken to the cider press which used an electric drill powered press to force the juice out of the apples. Even though there were four tables of cutters this was the slowest part of the operation and we spent four hours chopping apples.

The juice was then carried to the bagging station where Jen filled each bag with a gallon of cider and then placed each bag in the sun. Meanwhile another person asked us to guess how many gallons of apple cider would be made. Renita and I were not even close as the actually number was 297. Luckily it was cool and many of the stations had tented roofs, so it was bearable. Tired and sore we left before they distributed the cider and Jen brough back the gallon of cider we were given for our stint at the cutting table, (my lower back was sore for the next two days). It was really neat to take part in the cider making. As we worked for at least two hours we were given glasses of apple cider to spur us on! Most of the apple grown around Hamilton are Macintosh but some brought other apples from as far away as Washington State. Thanks for the opportunity to join in making Apple Cider! Clear skies

Disappointing Fall Colors

This year the fall colors have been extremely disappointing. While our trees here are not as colorful as the Midwest or Northeast, they still usually put on a nice show, just not this year. It has been exceptionally dry and extremely warm, (nothing like Arizona and Nevada). These factors along with the still raging forest fires have all added to the poor leaves display. Still there is some color, but not as much as usual with the red oaks that dot the evergreen forests. The bright spot has been the aspens that are now showing their yellows, each grove/stand all turn at the same time as they are really one organism.

The two pictures were both taken as we drove up the Snake River Canyon, from a visit to the doctor. We still haven’t started our snowbird migration and have been confined to our place as I am still recovering from surgery. It wont’ be long now before we head out and the last visit with the doctor was good so we are about ready. Safe travels to all and of course clear skies. (I hope to add to this post wit a few more pictures from Renita.)