You're the Apple to my Pie Roadtrip

Originally published November 20, 2014

An apple a day keeps the Doctor away.  ~Mom~

This includes cranberry apple pie right?  How about a steamy caramel apple latte?  For sure it must include honey crisp apples, covered in honey and double cream brie cheese, served panini style?  If you have been following along, you should know that I love road trips, and I love travelling around Ontario. I am crazy about food, and I don' t mind heading out solo.  So try to imagine my delight when I found out about the Apple Pie Trail.  A planned route of destinations around Georgian Bay totally devoted to everything apples.
First point of business.  Download the Apple Pie Trail app.  (yes we can really say that there is an app for everything). I was able to put a pretty star next to my favourite attractions, have addresses at the ready and a really handy GPS map.  (Ill admit later on in the post that I got a bit lost).  Oh and a really cute photo feature.
I was really excited for my first stop, not only because I was headed towards highly regarded food, (Espresso Post has been featured in Blog TO and it's not even in Toronto), but because I have never stopped in Collingwood before.  I have driven around the perimeter many times on my way to Craigleith or Blue Mountain, but have never had a reason to park myself.

Guys, music was playing as I got out of the car, I did not have to pay for parking and I was already entranced by the picturesque street view.  I would have skipped to the Espresso Post if the ground hadn't been snow covered, so, bundled up I strolled.  I wanted to try everything,  and admittedly I had to allow a couple of people ahead of me in line because I just couldn't decide!  I stuck with my apple theme and ordered the Brie and Apple Panini and a caramel apple latte.  Oh my goodness.  I knew apples and cheese went together but wow.
History has a way of humbling you, and my next stop at the Craigleith Heritage Depot had that exact effect on me. We have a habit of forgetting that life was significantly different than it is today.  The strong and resilient people that shaped the country and the way that we live need to be remembered. Housed in an decommissioned rail house (not a replica) are treasures of the surrounding area, with invaluable information and artifacts.  No charge to enter, but I strongly encourage leaving a donation.

It was a no-brainer that one of my stops would be The Honey House in Clarksburg.  My culinary obsession with honey may rival butter tarts, and I am always looking out for that perfect batch.  What was really neat about this place was that I was a novice,  people were lined up with empty jars ready to get a refill.  I treated myself to a jar of regular honey and another creamed honey and thanked the bees for their hard work.
On route to my last stop, I paused at Almonds Farm Market, this is not on the official itinerary but I still hadn't grabbed a pie.  If you want that no fuss home baked goodness this is a great place to stop.  I wanted to try something new so I picked up an apple cranberry crumble.  It didn't make it past the weekend.
Two questions, have you ever seen a country side road after a snow storm, and do you ever argue with your GPS? My last planned stop was going to be to the Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery for some wine and sparkling apple juice, but because of natural barriers and my stubbornness I threw my hands up in the air and started heading home.  I only tell you about this missed connection because sometimes everything doesn't go as planned, but that is part of the adventure!  I was so thrilled to see that I could order wine online and wouldn't have to wait until I planned my next trip.
There are 37 stops listed on the Apple Pie Trail, I only made it to 3 and I was gone for about six hours.  When I returned home I was rejuvenated, I was excited about my finds, and could barely wait to try my pie and honey.  I am looking forward to the day when I get back on the trail.  Luv K8e