Showing posts with label gemstone mining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gemstone mining. Show all posts

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Andelin Farm- A Charming, U-Pick, Family Owned Farm that provides Lots of Family Fun in the Fall and Spring




8100 Pyramid Way
Sparks, NV 89436

(775) 530-8032

During the pandemic, it's places like Andelin Farm that me and my family have come to appreciate even more, allowing for my family's fall traditions to carry on in a safe and fun way.

Anyone that visits the farm will tell you that it is a well kept, well thought out, and a hardworking farm.  During the pandemic, they were not phased, adapting to the changes in the most responsible and thoughtful way- masks enforced, hand sanitizer stations available throughout the farm, wipe-downs, hand wash stations, contact-free payment, operating at a limited capacity, and more.  

I visited another farm recently, about an hour away, and they didn't have any information on safety measures on their website, nor did they enforce mask-wearing when I pulled up on the property.  With too many people that were not distanced, with no masks, me and my family felt unsafe and turned around immediately toward home.  We are thankful to be able to go back home to Andelin Farm, a place we can safely enjoy without minimal worries.

One of the great things about the farm is that it is constantly thinking up ways to improve on their guests' experiences.  This year, instead of just taking some attractions away (some didn't allow for social distancing), they thought of some new activities to implement to the farm.  The gemstone mining sluice and chick experience are new additions to the farm.  They've also added some shade tents for relief from the sun and took a gamble with growing sunflowers for a U-Pick experience.

A couple of years ago, me and my family were one of the last families on the farm and time slipped by so fast because of all the fun our little kids were having.  We didn't have a chance to ride the hayride around the farm and took a chance and asked the worker if we could ride.  He was nice and said he would ask for us.  The owner, Cameron, came out with a smile on his face and was more than happy to take us around.  He gave us a little history about the farm and chatted with us a bit.  There's nothing more special than the owner actively interacting with his guests to make sure that they have a good time, even at closing.  Cameron is a representation of what the farm has to offer. 

We will always come back to the farm every year and always recommend it to family and friends. 

RATES (as of 10.2.2021.  Check their main website for the latest rates)

*Included in a per-person admission (2yrs. and younger free). 
2021 Rates: Online $12 and $14 at the farm.  
Admission rates vary, check website for updated rates.
-hayride
-U-Pick Pumpkin Patch
-Wagon Rides
-Mini Zip Lines for Kids
-barrel train ride
-hamster wheel
 -straw bale maze
-bunny hop
-petting zoo (goats, sheep, chickens) (feed available for purchase)
-access to u-pick pumpkin patch
-chick experience 
-duck races (water pumps)
-lasso activity
-pumpkin shooters (slingshot and corn kernels)
-barn slide 
-kickball enclosure

Offered at an additional charge:
-pony rides (currently $7)
-corn creepers (haunted house in a corn field)
-zombie paintball
-5 acre corn maze (open Wednesdays-Saturdays 10am-10pm) 
Bonus nights for maze, Friday & Saturday, November 5 & 6, 2021. $7 Online $9 at farm
-pumpkins
-gem mining bags ($5-$25 depending on size of bag)
-Corn Cannon - shoots corn cobs. 2 shots for $1.  Offered Saturdays only.
-U-Pick Sunflowers
-Farm Store
Food-Trailers - Hot Food & Apple Cider Slushie

Notes:
-farm open early April to end of April, in spring and  late September-end of October for fall
-Weather at the farm can vary.  Check the weather before your visit to plan and dress accordingly. I always like to put sunblock on the kiddos, in any case during the day.
-all the workers are nice on the farm
-If you're looking to pick pumpkins, make sure you head out there early to mid October to catch them while they're still on the vine.  
-There are pre-picked pumpkins & Gourds (lots of varieties) at the entrance for purchase for people that are not interested in entering the farm
-Hot Food & Apple Slushies available
-They recently turned their barn into a farm store with homemade goods and crafts including - jams, mixes, hot sauces, snacks like kettle corn, sweet caramel nuggets, trail mix, yogurt pretzels, andelin t-shirts, sweaters, hats, jewelry soaps, and more.
-they always have a random vendor selling goods
-Cold drinks and ice cream available for cheap
-ideal for field trips
Private group tours available
-available for booking events
-the farm is thoroughly loved by younger kids, but adults can also have a good time with photo opportunities around the farm-pumpkin patch, cutouts, barn, and adult horse rides.  Alternatively, adults without kids can skip the pumpkin patch farm area and opt for their separate Halloween festivities- corn maze, corn creepers, zombie paintball
In the fall, they have a farm scene investigation book for the corn maze where you get to solve a mystery. 
-if you catch them at the right time, there's a line of fall trees in front of their house that make for nice pictures, especially when the leaves have changed
-farm produce available depending on availability- tomatoes were available during my visit.
-You will be walking on dirt all around the farm.  Don't forget to wear proper footwear.

Current Rates for Spring Festival 2021

Spring Festival-Weekdays
$9

Spring Festival-Saturdays
$10

Goat Bottle Feeding Experience
$6

Lamb Bottle Feeding Experience
$6

Calf Bottle Feeding Experience
$6

Spring 2021 Festival Season Pass
$28

Egg Hunt 4/7-4/10
$5

Pony Ride/Horse Ride 
$6

Private Tours- Spring 2021
$110

Birthday Package- Party Pavilion
Sold Out for Spring 2021


Friday, October 16, 2020

Abel's Apple Acres #38- Acres of Family Fun and Apple Goods


2345 Carson Road P.O. Box 2204
Placerville, California, 95667


(530) 626-0138

If you don't already know, Apple Hill Grower's Association is a popular destination in Placerville and Camino, CA, during October.  Among the collection of farms that bring lots of family fun, fresh baked goods, and beautiful scenery, is Abel's Apple Acres.  

Abel's has it all-a cute barn filled with pies, pastries and sweets, holiday decorations, books, pantry items, hot food for lunch, maze, gemstone mining, benches and bug shelters for picnics, craft fair, pony rides (currently closed due to Covid) and tranquility.

The farm brings on a quaint farm feel that provides a tranquil and scenic environment and is enough to keep me coming back to Apple Hill time and time again; but extra experiences like being able to eat award-winning caramel apples, finding your way through mazes, and gemstone mining for treasure bring that experience much further to the point of wanting to make new traditions.  

For the latest visit, I planned on visiting three farms with my kids, but only ended up going to two, since the kids were having so much fun relaxing, running around and munching on apple goods.  Abel's (along with many other farms on the hill) lends itself to good old fashion fun.

Their goods are honestly fresh and delicious.  We tried an apple donut, a slice of apple pie, a caramel apple, and an apple empanada.  They were so good that my kids kept on giving me a thumbs up with each and every bite.  Let's just say that we left the barn with our hands full.  Wouldn't want to leave home without some of this apple magic. 

If you want to know a secret, their apple pie caramel apples were so delicious that they deserve an award.  You must try them!!!  They are fresh-picked apples dipped in delicious caramel, white chocolate fudge, and cinnamon sugar.  If there's something to represent all that the hill has to offer, this would definitely be one of them along with apple cider and apple donuts.  

For hot foods, I got the tri tip sandwich with onions, which was loaded with lots of meat.  It was fresh and under-seasoned.  I'm guessing they do that intentionally so that their customers can adjust to their taste.  They make that easy with the condiments they supply.   

My kids were also happy with their hot dog meal that came with a side of chips (potato salad available), crackers, lollipop, and milk.  Not all farms on the hill serve hot lunch, so don't forget to check the Apple Hill guide to explore your options.

Notes:

-It gets crazy busy during October, so visiting on the weekdays and/or right when they open is ideal to maximize fun without too much wait.  Alternatively, visiting late September is great since crowds are absent
-Don't forget to bring a mask. Hand Sanitizer and handwashing stations available
-If you're traveling from out of town, you might want to bring a cooler to haul some goodies back home
-Masks are required inside the barn (which is well ventilated, with big open doors) and whenever you cannot maintain a distance of 6 ft.
-Maze is open during weekends only
-Purchase ggemstonemining bags at check out near caramel apples
-Holiday decorations available
-The only farm with specialty caramel apples
-Pony rides currently closed due to the pandemic
-Lots of cutouts available for photo opportunities
-Click HERE for Apple Hill's U-Pick Guide 
-Vendors available
-Veggie burger available