They’re not pretty!
It’s so unfortunate and also such an eye opener of how fragile it all is! One 30 minute hail storm in June and an entire orchard’s year of hard work is down the drain.
We discovered Demeritt Hill Farm in Lee last year and by discover I mean was told about it by my best friend. Last year we went up very late in the season and the only apples left were the dropped apples but we had a blast and vowed to make it up there earlier this year. So this year, yesterday actually, we made our way over to Demeritt Hill and upon arriving realized what had happened.
There were two very large signs describing the state of the orchard as well as example apples on the counter and the a very descriptive explanation by the woman who runs the store. They didn’t try to put one past us at all. I love to bake and the women assured us that the insides were fine they were just cosmetically ugly so we decided to walk around and see what we could find.
I just love being in this orchard. It’s huge and with rolling hills and fields its just a beautiful place to be. The apples are almost a bonus. 
Just as most pick your own farms in the area, Demeritt has done a really good job at making apple picking a whole day’s events. On the weekends there are Storybook Hayrides and every day there is a petting zoo, playground and hiking trails to enjoy!
I will warn you it is hard work finding apples that are only cosmetically damaged and not worm condos. We did it…its not impossible but its hard. In fact, even after all the warnings two familes got their money back because it was too hard for them to find suitable apples. There are good apples in the store that they purchased from other farms (not to mention some very tasty apple cider donuts that I have never been able to refuse!).
Apples or not I highly suggest you take a trip over to Demeritt Hill Farm. They have four great kid friendly trails one that is next to Oyster River, a dinosaur trail, the Timber Harvest trail that highlights beavers as well as a nature trail
Helpful Hints:
Website: http://www.demeritthillfarm.com/main.html
Phone Number: 603-868-2111
Call before you go as the orchard was going to be closed for the rest of this week and opened on the weekend.
Upcoming events: Halloween Hayrides October 11-12; 18-19; 25-26 2008
from 11 a.m. to 3:30 PM
$12/ adults; $6/ child
This is a non frightening event for children
Food: I would pack a lunch and make a day of it here. There are picnic tables or just hike around the trails and find a picnic spot! There isn’t really a whole lot in terms of kid friendly food. In a pinch there is McDonalds at the Lee Traffic circle or make your way into Durham for pizza.
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apples, farm, Kid Hike, NH
