Stories from the Apple Orchard - Hooper's Orchard

One of my favorite times to pick apples is when peaches are available at the same time. Hear about one trip to an orchard I did in 2021 in Maine.

There is a magical time each year, when you can find an apple orchard that has both peaches and apples available for the picking at the same time. And if you can get some good weather to along with it (and some maple bacon donuts!) then it doesn’t get much better.

Let me set the stage for you. Our family was spending one of the best times of our lives in Maine in 2021. We had not spend any time in New England area as a family. I have been there when I was in high school. It was high on my list to return to Maine to immerse myself in this magical state full of pine tress, lobster rolls, breathtaking coast lines for a longer time. For sure one of my favorite states. We brought our camper to campground near Bangor, Maine for 40 days and 40 nights!

Near the end of the time, apples were coming into season and peaches weren’t quite done yet. As I do, I spend tons of time on my phone looking up orchards in the area to visit and came across this absolute gem:

Hooper’s Orchard in Monroe, Maine.

The day it was a very pleasant 72 degrees with the sun shining and that end of summer, fall is coming feeling radiating from my soul (fall is my thing, summer is not!).

This place had everything I wanted in an orchard -

• Great location with pretty surroundings

• Lots of varieties of fruits

• Delicious baked goods

• Kind staff that showed the love for their orchard on their sleeve

And to boot, the crowd wasn’t crazy on the day I went.

First off we picked some peaches. The All Star variety, one that was developed in my home state of Michigan by the owners of Fruit Acres Farm (another place where I have picked apples and peaches at the same time). It’s a freestone peach, so that pit pops right out.

We were then directed to the back of the orchard to pick some Prima apples.