First time to go fruit picking in Washington State. My mom was so happy, walking through the…read moreorchards, picking peaches, and then eating it. It was a warm day, so we left our dogs (who aren't allowed in the orchard which I completely appreciate) at a picnic table in the shade and no one bothered them. I got peach itch from catching the peaches in my arms when they fell off the tree. The lady showed me where to wash my arms off, but I couldn't get them off. Next time I'll make sure to wear a long shirt or bring packaging tape to get off the itchy fuzz. We went back to our hotel to shower and get the itch off, which was a relief. They had peaches, apricots, and pears available for harvest, but mom went crazy in the peach area so no pears for us that day. So glad we found out about this place. Will check if they have Christmas activities because this place is a lot of fun.

For our last day in Leavenworth, we decided to do something that screams "not in Texas"... apple…read morepicking! Enter Stutzman Ranch, a family owned orchard delivering peak September vibes on a sun kissed day. Pro tip: sneakers or hiking boots are a must. The orchard sits on a hill, and you'll get your steps in, believe me. Upon arrival, the signs lead you right to the warehouse where you check in. The big "Fruit in Season" board made it clear: apples and pears are the stars of the show. There is a $5 U-Pick minimum per person 12 years and over. You can bring your own basket or they'll handed you a cardboard box, and if you're feeling fancy, upon availability you can borrow a wagon. After a quick walk to the orchard entry, you're given the lowdown on which rows hold the goods. Families were out, kids running around, everyone on the hunt for Washington's crown jewels--apples. Though the grapes were almost done for the season, we still snagged a few sweet clusters. After we wrapped up our fruity treasure hunt, we headed back to settle up. Floyd and Betsy Stutzman, the lovely fourth-generation owners, greeted us again, this time with Charlie, their sweet pup. We chatted about our Texas roots and thanked them for keeping their slice of paradise so well-maintained. There's something satisfying about biting into a crisp Fuji apple you just picked yourself. Whether it's for a breakfast bite or paired with mimosas in the afternoon, it tastes like victory. Thanks, Stutzman Ranch, for the fresh harvest and hospitality!

I purchased some Radix produce at the Pybus Farmer's Market earlier this year. The produce was…read moredelicious and very obviously grown with love. I look forward to enjoying some Radix crops next year!

From the owner: Radix Farm is a 5 acre farm a few miles down river from Wenatchee, WA. We provide healthy, fresh…read moreproduce to our community in multiple ways. We have a 25 week subscription CSA program May-November. We also attend the Wenatchee Valley Farmer's Market from June-October and sell to local restaurants. We have over 100 different varieties of Certified Naturally Grown vegetables, melons, and herbs. We also sell Certified Naturally Grown eggs and honey. Visit our website to sign up for our CSA or look for us at the Farmer's Market!

Some experiences live up to the hype and then there are the ones that completely exceed it. The…read moreLeavenworth Reindeer Farm did exactly that. From the moment we arrived, it was easy to see the love and care that goes into this family-owned farm. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, the staff was warm, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable, and the educational presentation gave us a whole new appreciation for these amazing animals. The reindeer were the true star, gentle, curious, beautifully cared for, and absolutely magical. Meeting them up close felt like stepping into a winter fairytale, no matter the season. It's one of those rare experiences that's just as meaningful for adults as it is for kids, and one you'll be talking about long after you leave. Safe to say... I left completely obsessed with reindeer, and we're already planning our next visit

If you're looking for a fun activity in Leavenworth whether you're visiting with kids or just…read morelooking for a unique experience this is a must-visit. Getting up close and feeding the reindeer is something you won't forget. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and happy to help take photos so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Be sure to book your tickets a few weeks in advance, especially during the winter season, as spots fill up quickly. It's one of the most popular attractions in Leavenworth.

I went to the East Wenatchee store yesterday looking for gardening hand tools--weed puller, hand…read morespade for potting, hand claw for tilling. I couldn't find anything because the store does not have signs on the isles. I returned to the cash register and asked the lady where the garden supplies are. She didn't know, but called a co-worker to help me. The co-worker said they don't have small hand tools...they only have large tools like shovels. How can a store specializing in gardening supplies not have hand tools?!?! I settled for a bag of blue Diamond Cat Food because it was a ripped and repaired bag for 20% off. The gal at the register couldn't find the QR code so had to call for the same co-worker, who in turn went to go to the cat food section to find the price. Finally, with the 20% discount, I paid the same price Walmart charges for the exact same product. The whole experience doesn't say much for this store. ----------------------------

This place has a lot of great items. The selection is pretty vast. The value can be good if you…read moreknow your prices and be careful of the bate and switch. They have racks of items on sale but mixed in every sale rack are items that are not. The signage is not clear about the sale. You might think the item is $29.99 on sale but the reality is they pepper the rack with full price items at $50. They do not apologize nor do they fix the problem when brought to their attention. All said if you have a lot of time to run back and forth to the register to see if an item is actually on sale then it's a good place.

I bought Martin Family Fruit at Forks Outfitters. So glad to buy fruit from near my hometown…read more Always fresh and delightful reasonably priced. ,

I picked up a few of their cherries (Rainer and Bing) at the Pike Place market this week. I didn't…read morereally know what I wanted and the guy let me sample a few. The cherries I picked up were plump, juicy and sweet. I only wish we could get Rainer cherries that good in the southwest. (I live in a small town in SE NM.) Tonight, I was sad to eat my last one. Thanks!

This place is lovely. Took the kids for a 3 hour horseback riding experience, where the last hour…read moreis a trail ride. There was a group of 11, with 3 employees. My kids loved it. Everyone learns and helps get the horses ready before riding. Everyone is really nice. The horses are well-matched to the riders and generally behave well. The pricing is a *fantastic* value. But there are 2 catches: 1) The reservation system appears to be by phone only. There is an email on the site but I'm not sure it works. So it's sort of like 30 years ago. They are very nice, but you will probably have to leave a voicemail and be patient. 2) I'm skeptical that there are ever weekend openings. They seem to host group events on most weekends. So if you just want to take your family it's probably a weekday thing. So if you don't mind a little phone tag and taking a 2-hr drive out to Cle Elum, you are going to have a great morning horsing around!

I went to flying horseshoe yearly from 2006-2010 for my birthdays and if we were passing by and I…read morecould talk my mom into it. They always made us feel welcome and would find horses suitable for all level of riders skill levels even when I came back years in 2018 when I was a lot more experienced and was put on a horse I had a BLAST with as well. Unlike some other barns that do not put their horses first you won't see any unhealthy or unloved horses here and the staff is amazing. I'm unsure if Penny still works there but I always looked forward to seeing her when I was younger and the crew she hired was always super knowledgeable and attentive on trail rides. I hope to be back to visit soon as we have moved back into the state. Thank you for taking care of such amazing horses Penny, I'll never forget Cheif and how excited I was to see him every year (Photo: 2007, Horse: Cheif)

The tomato king by a landslide. I have been to many farmers markets and KVG is a must go to every…read moretime. They have a plethora of tomatoes. From small cherry tomatoes to heirlooms to tomatoes you can use in a sauce. This place does not disappoint. Much better than any grocery store hands down.

Stopped in while on a vacation weekend in Leavenworth and love this place. We have chickens at our…read morehouse and learned a ton from the owner and bought some really cool items. He said he's been there three years and will be moving to a new location out of town. It's really not suited well for downtown Leavenworth but we loved his store and his ideas. Hopefully he does great in his new location and looking forward to visiting the new digs on our next visit.

We stopped to examine a wheelbarrow of books parked in front of this store and ended up heading…read moreinside, were we were well cared for by one of the owners. She is clearly in the business to promote simple living, not to make big money, and is committed to helping others find the information and tools needed to simplify our lives. Imagine a well-ordered and clean store filled with info and supplies for raising backyard chickens, bees, and for creating easy gardens. One that is committed to local sourcing, and who knows their suppliers well. That's Simply Living Farm. This is a thoughtful business, which represents a worthy ethic. It was a delightful find for us.

A beautiful lavender farm that also does harvest housing. We discovered this gem while visiting the…read moreginkgo petrified wood parks. Owner is a sweet gentleman, who has the cutest daughter. We were able to tour the farm, buy fresh farm eggs only $4 a dozen so cheap, and leave with pure lavender made on farm items. I highly recommend coming out here. Not to mention there are also fresh apples that they sell and apple orchards next door. My toddler's favorite part about this farm was the cat and $1.50 popsicles. We will be back during harvest season.

Nice little stop over for Harvest Hosts, met some friendly people and the area is beautiful. The…read moreshop was closed though, the sign on the door said they are on vacation. But still a nice quiet nights rest. Wish the aqi would of been better (smoke from ca/or fires) but it was still beautiful. Definitely stop here if you're in the area, we will.