Spokane, WA

I can smell the peaches as we drive around Greenbluff this past weekend. Nothing is better, to me than fresh peaches. They are so versatile. You can eat them plain, over ice cream, in a cobbler, make syrup to use over pancakes or in a margarita.

We got up early to go pick peaches so we could beat the heat and headed to Walter’s Fruit Ranch. Walter’s has so much to do that it is a perfect place to take a 2 year old. While we waited for the Fruit Loop Express to take us to the peach trees, my son was able to feed the chickens, look at a rabbit and visit the goats. They also have a new play structure so he was able to burn up so me energy on the slide.

Soon we loaded ourselves onto the Fruit Loop Express for a quick ride out to the peaches. Once we get there we were given some very specific instructions about picking peaches. Gently push on the top of the peach to see if it is ripe and if it is pull the peach off with your hand, not your fingers. Simon enjoyed helping pick peaches. He did a much better job at gently setting the peaches in the box than I thought he would.

After picking 2 layers of peaches we headed out to wait for the Fruit Loop Express to pick us up. When we got back to the main shed, we paid for our peaches, $1.19 a pound and headed on to our next stop.

After leaving Walter’s we headed to Hidden Acres so I could stock up on my jams. I love their apple butter and green pepper jelly. They also had peaches, blackberries and raspberries for sale.

Our final stop on the way off Greenbluff we stopped by The Harvest House to cool off with some ice cream. Ice cream is my son’s favorite new word and food and since the weather was already reaching the 80s by 10:00 a.m. it seemed appropriate.

The Peach Festival at Greenbluff continues through next weekend. For more information please visit the website: http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com/.