The only thing that softens the blow of summer’s end for me is the arrival of apple-picking season. At Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner the onrush of crisper, shorter, fall-like days is buffered by the orchards’ delicious-smelling baked goods, a bunch of fun activities for the family and, of course, rows of trees bearing plump, juicy apples.

My cousin, Crystal St. Hilaire, and I decided to take her 4-year-old son, Trevor, and my two boys, Brayden, 13, and Riley, 10, to Ricker Hill Orchard and Farm on Labor Day. From the moment we stepped out of the car in the parking lot, Trevor was all about Farm Fun, an area full of kid- and family-friendly activities located mostly in the cranberry bog area next to the main store on Route 117. We paid for our day passes for the Farm Fun offerings ($3 for adults; $5 for children) and bought a bag of animal feed for 25 cents. An inflatable climbing wall and slide, jumping tent, hay maze for littler visitors, mini-mini-golf, various tractors and farm equipment for children to explore and more — don’t miss the apple slingshot in the orchard — greeted us as the boys immediately removed their shoes and made with the jumping.

St. Hilaire made her way to two sheep and fed them while the boys hooted and hollered 10 feet away. 

“Aren’t you guys adorable, ” said St. Hilaire to the woolly duo.

She handed me the grain bag, I scooped some out and held it out to them; as they ate out of my hand their cuteness waned a bit. A handful of sheep saliva … ick. We visited with the goats and cows, too, before making our way to visit the donkeys behind the barn, which is adjacent to an obstacle course made of tires. I kept my distance with the donkeys. The boys have no aversion to such things as animal slobber— obvious by Riley’s willingness to kiss one of the donkeys. I restrained the urge to break out the Purell. Why do kids like animals so much? Whatever the reason, Ricker Hill understands the attraction and has incorporated the petting zoo of sorts for additional fun. 

My favorite part was the corn maze. With its twists and turns, not to mention dead ends, I was rather happy it took us longer to work our way out than I had expected. Definitely a fun challenge, especially when you add the humor of a teenager, pointing the way out for us all and then disappearing from view, just to laugh as everyone found a wall of corn stalks instead. 

“You actually believed me,” said Brayden, trying to stifle more laughter.

A mountain of hay with black, PVC-ish culverts had king-of-the-mountain written all over it. One cylinder was secured in the hay, providing passage for those small enough to crawl under the massive hill. Another, longer tube extended from the top of the mound to the ground in a fashion similar to a slide. It was my turn to laugh as Brayden slid through and found it momentarily difficult to exit. 

We could have stayed there for far longer, but apples awaited us just a short drive up the road to the orchard. The drive through the rows of trees was nice and the young girl working the stand beside the parking area was quite helpful. Bags in hand — and, at the insistence of the boys, a wagon to pull behind us — we headed toward the McIntosh-filled branches. 

The view from the orchard was quite beautiful; we took several pictures. And we enjoyed another activity that’s part of the Farm Fun pass: the apple slingshot. Five different slingshot stations were set up near a wooded area with painted backboards as targets — a magnet for any kid. Unusable apples are available for ammo as part of your Farm Fun admission. For an extra challenge, there were holes in each backboard, waiting for an apple slinging pro to succeed in what seems impossible to someone with no aiming talent, such as myself.

We spent a half-hour actually picking apples, and yes, eating them, too. They were still just a bit tart, excellent for eating right off the branch. Trevor talked a mile a minute about the apples and the trees, and even shared with us some of the words he’d learned in Chinese from a children’s television show. 

“Apple is píng gu? (ping go-ah) in Chinese,” said Trevor matter-of-factly. Impressive.

Once we paid for our apples ($.99 a pound), we returned to the main store and bought all the whoopie pies, chocolates, honey sticks, apple cider and freshly made doughnuts we could carry. The orchard, which hosts tours for schoolchildren during the week, also has a disc golf course ($3.50 a round or $5 a day). But we had filled up with enough fun. We loaded up the car and climbed in for the ride home. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon and we will most certainly be making another trip for more fun soon. This time for Cortlands and possibly Macouns.

Trevor McGovern, 4 of Minot pushes a cart filled with apples he and his mother, cousins and aunt picked at Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner recently. Pulling the wagon is Riley Deraps, 10 of Auburn.

Brayden Deraps, 13 of Auburn and his cousin, Trevor McGovern, 4, of Minot, have some fun in the hay maze at Ricker Hill Orchard and Farm recently.

Ricker Hill Orchards and Farms has been growing apples for eight generations; since 1803. They offer apples of many varieties, organic apples, cider and other seasonal fruit in a peaceful, country atmosphere. Visit one of their locations through November for baked goods, apples and more.

Their home is at 295 Buckfield Road, Route 117, Turner. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all week. They also run operations at Apple Ridge Orchard on Perkins Ridge Road in Auburn and Moulton Orchards on Route 35 in Standish. Call for hours and days of operation.

Contact them at 225-5552 or on the Web at www.rickerhill.com

Riley Deraps, 10 of Auburn gives his cousin, Trevor McGovern, 4 of Minot a push on one of several tractors scattered around the area for kids to use.

Trevor McGovern, 4 of Minot feeds livestock at Ricker Hill Orchard and Farm in Turner on Labor Day. At right, is staff writer, Tammy Chamberland,

Brayden Deraps, 13, of Auburn, slides down one of the inflatable play structures at Ricker Hill Orchard and Farm in Turner.

Brayden Deraps, 13 of Auburn has some fun with one of several old pieces of farm machinery that are scattered around the farm.

Trevor McGovern, 4 of Minot lets out a hoot as he discovers the exit to the corn maze. Behind him is his mom, Crystal St. Hilaire, and aunt, Tammy Chamberland of Auburn.

Trevor McGovern of Minot plays with some of the toys at the Ricker Hill Apple Outlet Store in Turner recently.

Riley Deraps, 10, of Auburn plays minature golf at Ricker Hill on Labor Day.

Emily Thone makes apple cider donuts at Ricker Hill Apple Outlet Store on Rt. 117 in Turner.

The Ricker Hill Apple Outlet Store on Rt. 117 in Turner