When you reach the ripe young age of 18, you are told that you are an adult from now on and that you are going to go to school to get a job so that you can earn money to buy a house that you can move into with your family. Everyone says that there are some things you have to give up to have that-- success begets sacrifices; however, I do not believe that is entirely correct. I suppose that I am a bit biased since some of my favorite television shows are cartoons, I sleep with a giraffe pillow pet and I still play with puppets. It 's okay to have hobbies outside of your job or your major. It is nice to have some happiness in your life and often it can come in the form of objects or events from your childhood. I had a moment like that this very afternoon.

It had been a rough week for me in college. My parents had come up for UNG's Blue and Gold pinning ceremony and were planning on leaving after lunch ;however, my mother could see that I needed some time with them, so we went for a drive. We ended up at the apple picking place of my childhood- Hillcrest Orchard. We stopped the car and got out. It was just nearly as I remembered it. It was almost eight years since I'd been there last, but I still remembered it like it was yesterday. Some things changed of course- admission is now $10, the orchards have become even larger and of course there are even more lots to park in; however, it still felt like just the thing that my inner child needed. Besides that specific need of mine, there are plenty of other reasons to go apple picking.

1. Apples are delicious

I don't think I have to explain this one very much. If you grew up going to an American public school, you pretty much had an apple or apple slices on your plate every day; however, unlike those heavily processed monstrosities found in the little plastic bags, these are premium, hand-picked apples straight from the orchard. In this day and age when you don't know where exactly your food is coming from, it is nice to be able to know with absolute certainty what you are eating.

2. There's always something else to do

At Hillcrest Orchards, for example, there are pig races, a tree maze, mini golf, a goat petting zoo and many more activities for families. Often, orchards will have corn mazes, haunted houses, and other fall related activities due to apple picking season falling in the harvest season. Not to mention they may have vegetables like pumpkins and other gourds to bring home with you. Of course, the best part would have to be the marketplace where orchards sell not only their apples, but the byproducts made from them. I have too many fond memories of apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, apple cider slushies and apple cider fritters.

3. It is a great time to matter how old you are

As seen in the picture above, apple picking has been a fall favorite among Americans for decades and hopefully will continue to be such for many years to come. Apple picking is an excellent time for families to get out and have fun amongst the trees. This, of course, conveys feelings of nostalgia of America's substantial rural past; however, anyone of any age will be able to enjoy themselves while seeking out the freshest apples, straining to reach the ones on the top of the trees, and trudging home at the end of the day with a full bag.

I don't really know why apple picking leaves people feeling so fulfilled, but it is a feeling that has stayed with me from eight years old to 18 years old. Even if this fall will be your first apple picking, I can promise you that it's going to be a time that you'll never forget.