LAKE TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The beauty of the leaves changing is drawing thousands of people to the Poconos with many stopping by local farms for the ultimate fall package.
It’s a breathtaking sunrise at Klim’s Orchard in Lake Township on Tuesday morning.
"People like to take car rides, come out seeing the leaves changing, and we have a gorgeous view from here," said Michael Klim, owner’s son, Klim's Orchard.
The orchard tucked away on Keystone Road has been operating for almost a century.
"Been here 92 years where our family has grown apples," said Alex Klim, owner, of Klim’s Orchard.
Growing more than 15 different kinds of apples, the sweet scent wafting inside the shop will stop you in your tracks, of course before you take a bite.
"Wine connoisseurs say, ‘swish it around in your mouth,’ but we say, ‘take a bite of an apple and then take a second bite because it’ll change," said Michael.
Klim’s Orchard does not offer pick-your-own to its customers, that’s because no machinery is involved as its workers handpick every single apple that’s sold in its shop.
"When picking, it takes about 10 to 12 bushels an hour, and I’ve picked over a hundred thousand bushels of apples in my lifetime and probably lifted 200 thousand. I’ve been doing it for over 50 years," said Alex.
Handwritten signs are an example of its hardworking, traditional style of business that also pours into its process of making cider, using a 90-year-old press.
"The cider. It’s very, very good. Very good!" said Eileen Smilnak, a salesperson, at Klim's Orchard. "As the season goes on, it’s other apples that go into the cider and the cider continues to get better and better,” continued Smilnak.
The work paying off for another successful season, ready to welcome thousands of hungry customers all thanks to Mother Nature.
"Weather and everything is just right this year. We had a lot of rain and then the heat came out that made more sugars in them and the high color in the apples and the nice size that they have on them," said Alex.
Klim’s Orchard says they usually have apples available through January or February.
The shop is open Friday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Lake Township.
