A day

They had me at apple cider donut. Ya Ya Orchard was the destination, a tiny farm that I’m pretty sure is the definition of bucolic. 

There were mountains as the backdrop, rows of apple trees, friendly horses.

And donuts. So many donuts. If you’ve never experienced a warm apple cider donut, you’re missing out on a truly fulfilled life. That’s not an over-dramatic statement at all.

So we’ve established the donuts, but Ya Ya also was home to my second-favorite d-word in the universe:

Donkeys! So I’ve got this theory that all the other farm animals make fun of donkeys. Obviously, mini-ponies are the worst. Have you ever seen a mini-pony hanging out with a donkey? No. The mini-ponies are probably too busy braiding their hair in the stable mirror. Ugh. Get over yourselves, mini-ponies.

Okay, donkey defense over. Basically, I love donkeys and made sure to spend some time feeding them carrots and giving them compliments. They were appreciative.

With a carload of apples, cider and donuts, we said goodbye to Ya Ya for the pumpkin patch just down the road. 

Yes. Just yes. A little red wagon full of decorative gourds. That’s basically autumn, right? To add to the picture, I was stage left with tell-tale donut remains on my lips and the reek of mini-pony on my hands. (I’m sorry, donkeys. I never meant to.) There was also a corn maze, but I can only take so much excitement in one day. 

To make up for the fact that I forced my husband into pulling the wagon around as I frolicked, we finished up at Left Hand Brewery.

Pro tip for the next time you’re sampling at a brewery: There’s probably no need to try ten beers. Stop at nine.