Every time I sit down to plan out my next excursion, I consider myself blessed for living in a state with seasons. While I prefer the heat and humidity that comes with summer, I’m happy that I live in a place with some “seasonal range.” As autumn was in full swing I decided to go apple picking. After a bit of research, I settled on Ricker Hill Orchards, located in Turner. The drive for me was just short of an hour, but it passed quickly as I drove through towns and forest alike.
As apple picking is a popular activity, I wasn’t surprised that the main parking lot was full. As I pulled into the secondary lot, I was blown away by the view that greeted me. Trees covering every inch of the surrounding hills took my breath away. As the leaves were just beginning to turn, there was a smattering of color amongst the green. I discovered quickly that the orchard is divided into two sections. The first being a recreational area with a whole slew of activities, and the actual orchard, which was further up the road.
The recreational area was a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. The tantalizing scent of a food truck wafted by me as children enjoyed the bouncy castles, mini golf, and the petting zoo. I continued along my path, and I found myself walking through a small craft fair. As I perused the stalls, I started to find some products that would make for great Christmas presents. After finishing my purchases, I began to take a closer look at the rest of the compound.
The first thing that caught my eye was the mini golf course. It’s design was geared for children, but still provided enough challenge for adults. While a bouncy castle was present, I found that Ricker Hill Orchards went a step further in providing for their younger patrons. A bouncy UFO, as well as an inflatable obstacle course can also be found nearby.
Ricker Hill Orchards also boasted a sizable corn maze. As I entered the labyrinth, I prepared myself for a short trip. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the maze posed a challenge. As I continued through the long corridors of corn, I came across a small clearing. Right in the middle of this “glade,” was a raised platform, surrounded by railings. Climbing up the couple of stairs provided me with another phenomenal view, as well as a way to get my bearings. After encountering a few dead ends, I finally found the exit, and thus made my way to the petting zoo.
The petting zoo consisted of a few goats and a couple of cattle. Like York’s Wild Kingdom and Maine Wildlife Park, there were food dispensers to feed the animals. Old farm equipment was scattered along the lawn, along with information about the gear. An old fire truck was also repurposed to serve as a play area, near some tubing that had been redesigned as slides.
As I entered the gift store, I was blown away by the sheer amount of product available for purchase. There were toys as well as souvenirs, doughnuts, apple cider, hard cider, and an assortment of jams and preserves. I even found myself inspecting such products as pumpkin butter. After buying some ice cream, I made my way to what can only be described as a bar.
It was here where more “adult” beverages were served. As I was at an orchard, the drinks that were available were all hard ciders. Instead of sticking to one or two kinds of cider, I found myself examining a list of different drinks. While patrons could order a pint of one of the ciders, I opted for a flight of four different ciders. I never considered myself a fan of ciders, but I found that I enjoyed the drinks I had ordered. Furthermore, if someone is feeling adventurous, they can order a flight of six or a flight of eight. If a pint sounds more your speed, the drinks are reasonably priced. If you spend a dollar more, you can even keep your glass as a souvenir.
The second half of my trip took me to the actual orchard. While I was tempted to walk to the orchard, I was ultimately happy with my choice to drive, as it was a bit of a hike. I found that there was a lot more parking available, and I had no problem finding a spot. It was clear that I needed to head to a small building that sat close to the top of the hill, so I started to make my way toward it. Passing the shed where apples and apple cider were sold, I found myself admiring another beautiful view. Since I was further up the hill, and in an entirely different part of the orchard, my view was much more expansive, as well as much more colorful. There were a lot more trees that started to turn, and I was able to see further than I could at the recreational area.
Thuds behind me drew my attention to some wood cutouts of farm animals. As it turns out, the apples that cannot be sold, like rotten apples, are repurposed for slingshots. It costs a dollar a bucket, and guests can aim for the cutouts.
Depending on when in the season you go, certain apples may or may not be ripe for picking. The workers who were handing out bags for apples were very knowledgeable in directing people to the areas that were “open” for picking. In addition to apples, patrons can pick pumpkins, blueberries, and grapes. I decided that before I started picking, I would take a tour of the orchard. Ricker Hill Orchards provides transportation around the compound, along with a brief stop to explore the area in which grapes and blueberries are grown.
After the trip around the orchard ended, I began to pick some apples. The orchards are expertly organized, with signs distinguishing the different types of apples, as well whether or not they’re organic. After I was satisfied with what I had picked, I made my way to the register, where my bag was weighed, and I paid for the apples.
Apple picking, for me, is one of those activities that I always hear about, but I never think to do myself. The last time I even went to an orchard was in elementary school back in the late 1990’s. So when I decided to go to Ricker Hill, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My trip managed to exceed every expectation I had. While many of the activities were geared towards families with young children, I saw guests from many different age groups. Whether you’re in high school, a young couple or newly weds, Ricker Hill Orchards is a great place to visit. And if you have a dog, make sure to bring them along as well, they’ll enjoy the trip as much as you do.
If you’re interested in visiting Ricker Hill Orchards, you can find their website here. As it happens, Ricker Hill also grows cranberries, so if that piques you’re interest, you can click here. And as always, I ask myself, where am I going next?
themerrymainer 