Illinois spring and summer lovers will tell you that deep down, they can't wait for a fall trip to an apple orchard. We're blessed to have some fantastic orchards so close.

My wife and I were discussing our schedules for the next few days and every time we had to add something, we kept repeating that the weekend must include our first orchard trip of the season.

The first apple orchard trip is always that really quick one, often made right away without the kids in the car. The first apple orchard trip is reserved just for picking up the season's 3 most critical essentials.

A Gallon, A Bag, and A Dozen

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There they are, the three most important things needed to kick off the fall season:

  • A gallon of apple cider
  • A bag of apples
  • A dozen apple cider donuts

Dip mixes, hundreds of different sauces and salad dressings, soup mixes, fudge, fresh pies, and stuff like that can always find their way into our home on trips numbered 2 through 10.

Whether it says FALL on the calendar or not, it's time to get to an orchard. These orchards are either in Rockford or just a short drive away and offer all the things you want to see when out on one of the season's most important excursions.

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