I want to take you on a trip just a few minutes down the road to Hartland Orchard in Markham, Virginia. This orchard is where we get most of our fresh mountain apples for cooking and eating.
David and I have been coming to Hartland Orchard for mountain apples long before we moved to the blue ridge mountains in Northern Virginia. Many years ago after our first visit to this orchard, we made it a point to stop here every fall when we came to the mountains. It became tradition. Who knew that one day we’d be neighbors, living just minutes down the road?!?!
(Pinch me I’m still dreaming!)
Traveling East on Highway 66 from Washington DC, you will first approach Naked Mountain on the right as you drive towards the blue ridge mountains.
Once you cross over Goose Creek, Norfolk-Southern Railroad and pass by Naked Mountain, you will see Exit 18 688 Markham. This exit will take you almost directly to the road where Hartland is located.
At the bottom of the exit ramp look over to your right, and you will see this Green Truck with a huge tree sticking out of the back. You cannot miss it!
This year, things are set up a little differently at the orchard. Hartland has divided the pre-picked apples from the orchard. Making it really easy to get your apples and go. As you go past the Green Truck Farm in front of the orchard, you will see a green-top building on your right, where you can purchase pre-picked apples and cider. I believe I saw some local honey there also.
This is for lazy folks like David and myself. The mountain apples are already picked for you and loaded into huge apple crates. All you have to do is grab a bag and fill it with mountain apples and be on your way. I will say I am going to miss going up the old farm lane and seeing the beautiful old house and scenery that comes a long with it.
Past the pre-picked apple sales, you will come to the main gate of the farm, crossing over the cattle grid at the gate of the driveway. You will come to the Hartland Farm Market at The Green Truck Farm, where families can enjoy a fall festival, pumpkin patch, corn maze and much more.
Keep going past the market you will follow the winding drive back into the rolling pasture land. After you maneuver a sharp curve you will drive towards the main house, where Henry Green was born. According to Hartland’s website, Henry Green was a World War II veteran, whom translated radio code in an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. He worked as a chemist until 1950 when his father died, and then he took over the farm, where he raised pigs, sheep, chickens, cows, horses, corn, grain, fruit and six children on this farm.
Back behind the house you will see the apple orchard where you can pick your own fruit. As I mentioned earlier, David and I are lazy, so I have no pictures of the beautiful orchard, but if you choose to stop by, maybe you can take some for yourself.
I have to say that the scenery of Hartland Orchard is just as pretty on the way out as it is on the way in. The Orchard is located in the beautiful rolling hills near Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains where David, His Royal Highness and I live. There are lots of things to do out here along the blue ridge, so add this stop to your list if you come visiting.
Check out the recipe for The Best Apple Crumb Pie Ever. This pie will bring some happy smiles to your family for the upcoming holidays, guaranteed. Subscribe below to make sure you don’t miss this recipe!
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