Category Archives: Clifton Park
“When the apple is ripe it will fall.”
Irish Proverb
One of my favorite fall time activities is apple picking but since being away at school the past 4 years I haven’t been able to so my goal this fall was to make sure I got to partake in every Fall activity that I’ve missed over the past years. I had no idea which orchard to go to, I’ve heard a few names thrown around but I didn’t know what each offered, which was the best, etc. I looked up online some names of orchards to visit and I found that there were 3 in the same neighborhood so that seemed to be the best option. Just in case my boyfriend and I didn’t like one of them, there were two others to try out.
We started out on Riverview Rd meaning to head to Bowman Orchards but my boyfriend missed the turn so we first stopped at Riverview Orchards (660 Riverview Rd, Rexford). 
I didn’t see a sign for pick your own apples it was mostly a store where you could buy any type of apple you want along with other assorted vegetables. There’s a small place to sit and eat cider donuts and whatever other fall treats you may want along with a place where you can watch the donuts being made. Outside there’s a very small& very short corn maze for the very little kids no higher than their waist. I decided to grab a cider donut and it was very good. It was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect consistency. I found though that it didn’t really have its own special flavor, it just tasted like a plain donut.
Next, we went to Bowman Orchards (141 Sugar Hill Rd, Rexford) and ran into some traffic getting in. 
The wait wasn’t very long, maybe 15-20 but once we got through the entrance everything else moved very quickly. You can either pay 25 cents for one of their plastic bags or bring your own. When you arrive, they hand you a map of the area along with the list of apples you’re allowed to pick that day, apples & tomatoes are $.99lb and pumpkins $.52lb. If you’re looking for Red Delicious, good luck! When we went, they were all picked. The apples were easy to find thanks to the map and number/letter system. I had such a great time, it was like an Easter egg hunt for adults in the middle of fall! They also offer Pony Rides $3, Hay Rides $3, Playland with animals you can pet and feed $3, Peddle carts $3 and apple cannon $1. 
As for food, don’t worry on being hungry during your apple adventures! They have tons of food to buy along with plenty of sweets. I also tried a cider donut from here along with cider donut ice cream (the fudge was really tempting). I liked this cider donut better because it had sugar on it unlike Riverview and had a stronger cidery flavor. The cider donut ice cream is definitely worth it! The line to get into the treats building took about 5-10mins but it was worth it for that ice cream. Not only was the ice cream flavorful (which I think was cinnamon flavored) but the pieces of cider donut right inside made me wish I got a bigger size. If you intend on sharing this, get the medium size!
After we paid for our apples, we went on to check out the last orchard on our way to get a pumpkin. Lindsey’s Orchard (267 Sugar Hill Rd, Rexford) also offered pick your own apples and though smaller than Bowman, it was less crowded and still a good size. 
I decided to get a cider donut from here to finish off my cider donut tour of Rexford and I liked this one as well, it was kind of a mix of the other two. Though it didn’t have sugar like Riverview, it was sweet like Bowman’s but my favorite was still Bowman’s. Jim and I found the perfect pumpkin and will be carving it closer to Halloween (& making pumpkin seeds!). Though this was smaller, if you’re going to Bowman, this is worth a stop. If any of the apples you wanted to pick aren’t available at Bowman, you can buy them already bagged or see if they’re available here. 
Make sure you purchase a glass of hot apple cider for $1.00, a good portion size, at a good price and a great flavor!
Me & Our Pumpkin
Happy Fall!
“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face”
Ben Williams
Maybe this dog was hungry?
Giggle Moment in Rexford waiting to enter Bowman Orchards. This dog couldn’t wait to get a bite to eat, he tried to take a bite of the tree outside the car window!
“It’s the smiling on the package, It’s the faces in the sand, It’s the thought that moves you upwards, Embracing me with two hands”
Interpol
Thanks to Step Up Presents and their twitter account, I won free tickets to Interpol’s latest show in the 518 at Northern Lights (normally priced $30). Step Up Presents is a publicity company for entertainment in the 518. The night before the concert, they advertised a contest on their twitter for the first 2 people to respond with an opening act of the show, won tickets to go- I won!
Interpol is a band who originated in NYC in 1997, look to their MySpace for music samples. One of the opening bands, Twin Tigers, originates from Athens, Georgia and started in 2007, they also have a sampling of music on their MySpace.
Jim and I made it right as Twin Tigers began, Id never heard of them before but they were pretty good.
The sound at Northern Lights is notorious for being awful, either because of acoustics or whatever. It’s hard to judge the lyrics of the song when I could barely hear what the lead singer was saying most of the time. It also seemed as if the crowd enjoyed their music as well.
After they played a few songs, it was time for Interpol to start. Interpol is one of those bands to me where I don’t need to know every word to every song and I still enjoy going to their concerts and listening to their music. Before I went, I was wondering how this concert was going to go. 
The only concerts I’ve been to recently were metal shows so I’m used to mosh pits and people jumping and punching around. 
Interpol is indie music, easy rock, not mosh pit music. It oddly wasn’t bad just standing and listening to music but after a while I wanted to sit down. I give Interpol credit, they came back for an encore and I usually expect 1-2 songs but they continued for another 45mins.
I can’t really write a review on the music because you have to listen to it for yourself and make your own opinions but I love Interpol and suggest that you give the band a listen. As for the concert experience, I enjoyed it. I love being surrounded by people who love music, it’s such a great energy. Northern Lights may be far away and may not be the most comfortable place to see a show but what keep me coming back is the more intimate feeling you get more so than SPAC or the TU Center. If your favorite band is coming to Northern Lights, there’s a very good chance that you’re not only going to be able to make out their faces on stage but get up to the stage and see them firsthand.
Just a warning, bring earplugs if you don’t want your ears ringing for the next two days because otherwise they will.
