Mercier Orchards

Sunday, September 14, 2014

I ended my apple adventure in the North Georgia Mountains on Sunday by heading just a little more north into Blue Ridge and Mercier Orchards. Mercier is probably the largest and most commercialized of the orchards as they produce not only their own cider but all of the other orchards as well. I started out my apple picking adventure by taking a tractor ride around the property where I learned all sorts of fun facts about the family and the orchard. Mountain views surround the rows of trees where families try to decide which type of apples they want to bring home. I was lucky enough for the clouds to break momentarily so blue skies finished off my adventure. On a personal note I will have to return to Mercier to try their in house made hard ciders.

Aniah Johnson picks an apple off of one of the more than 100,000 trees at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Aniah Johnson picks an apple off of one of the more than 100,000 trees at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Hope Land (center) eats an apple as she walks through a row of apple trees with Summer Bryant (left) and Sophie Bone at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Hope Land (center) eats an apple as she walks through a row of apple trees with Summer Bryant (left) and Sophie Bone at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Jenny Bryant (left) and her husband Steven walk the tractor path carrying a bag of apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Jenny Bryant (left) and her husband Steven walk the tractor path carrying a bag of apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Olivia Cowen (right) and her sister Katie pick apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Olivia Cowen (right) and her sister Katie pick apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Cecilia Venable (left) and her daughter Annabella take a selfie as they pretend to eat an apple at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Cecilia Venable (left) and her daughter Annabella take a selfie as they pretend to eat an apple at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Noah Nystuen sits on his father Adam's shoulders as they pick apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Noah Nystuen sits on his father Adam’s shoulders as they pick apples at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Deen Barnwell (right) walks with his girlfriend Keiona Johnson past rows of apple trees at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Deen Barnwell (right) walks with his girlfriend Keiona Johnson past rows of apple trees at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge on Sunday, September 14, 2014.