How to "DO" fall: Waconia, Minnesota

So after our summer-like September turned into winter-like October, I started to go into hibernation mode, and glaze over any hope for my 2nd favorite season. Fall being my second favorite season (I'm SUCH a sticky, humid summer girl) is a rather new thing. As a teen, I despised Autumn. The shorter days and cold nights were a sign that winter would soon arrive. I couldn't find happiness or enjoyment in the apple-picking, pumpkin-patching or leaves-a-changin'. At all. In my twenties, I finally figured out how to truly enjoy fall through lots of apple and pumpkin-based baking, cute boots with tights and taking kids to pick apples. Life was good despite the 5:30 sunset. Now I'm full on lovin' me some fall. After meeting my husband, I even started enjoying all the fall squashes, and actually EATING them.

On a semi-recent September weekend, my family and I took a trip to Waconia, MN. Really a "trip" is exaggerating it...it's a brief drive. It's ridiculously close to the city, but feels like you left the Metro. Far behind you.

First we headed to Deardorff Orchard. Gorgeous rows of apple trees with a lake view: that's how you do fall in MN!

Okay, so I didn't even mention yet...it gets better...there's a winery onsite. I have to admit, my only other experience with Minnesota wine was not exciting. It tasted like the decent $5 bottle of wine from Trader Joe's that the hubby and I keep in the wine rack, except it was like $25! I appreciated the concept of Minnesota wine, but wasn't trying to mess with average tasting expensive wine. The winery at Deardorff, named after their lovely neighboring body of water "Parley Lake" was delicious. My mom and I sampled a rich Shiraz, and chilled on some shady picnic tables, but also had the option to wander the orchard with our wine glasses.

This place is obviously the ultimate cool Mom hang-out. When is the last time the apple orchard was a sophisticated, yet sincere farm-y wine-drinking weekend outing? Deardorff is the perfect mixture of down-to-earth family farm meets winery. The last "big" orchard that I traveled to with my youth program felt like Disney World. An entrance fee, expensive corn maze and overpriced gift store does not equate a genuine family attraction. Head to Deardorff for the real thing. Apple Jack Orchard in Delano is also another family-owned favorite, and the only place I can find my Liberty apples.

After Deardorff, we spotted my favorite Minnesota roadside stop yet: "At The Farm" market alongside Highway 5.

 

"At the Farm" is the corner store you'd die to have in your neighborhood. Seriously. Homegrown produce, fresh eggs (check out the ladies in the chicken coup!), homebaked pastries and treats, funky antiques and displays, and the best part: a proprietor who is clearly a respected matron of the community, Donna Frantz. I've always loved business owners who clearly know the community better than the politicians do AND know your name. Donna is it. Donna, I can't wait to have an excuse to get back to Waconia.

The onion staging room. Love it.

Donna's lovely gourd display, grown with love.

So much character...while totally genuine...when is the Powderhorn Youth Farm branch opening?

Exterior shot of the market.

Best seats in the house to take it all in.

After our early spell of cold, crop-ending weather, I felt uninspired to post this. Why encourage people to go out to the orchards when the season got cut short and ended abruptly? Then I remembered the most important element of "DOING" fall in Minnesota. You make the best of it and enjoy every minute you have, because it is short and sweet. My friend Crystal fell ill to the flu, could barely move, but wrapped herself in blankets and laid herself out in her adirondack chair to watch her son play in the leaves when the sun came out today. BAM. That's how we "Do" fall in Minnesota.