Big, red, juicy and delicious.
Mmmm ... apples.
Now that decisiduous trees' leaves are falling and the air has turned crisp and cool, apples are ripening up. The season's natural treats are ready for students' picking.
Several apple orchards and cider mills service the Ann Arbor area.
The closest mill, the Dexter Cider Mill, is located in downtown Dexter.
"We're an urban cider mill," said Richard Kozinski, owner of the Dexter Cider Mill.
Having made cider for 110 years, the Dexter Cider Mill is the oldest continuously operating mill in the state, Kozinski said. He said the mill's age offers University students and staff a unique opportunity to observe living history as tours of actual cider-making are available.
"Visitors are able to witness the cider-making process as it was 100 years ago," he said.
The entire milling process takes about 45 minutes, Kozinski said. Visitors can watch the process from start to finish and do it all for free.
Because the mill is located in the heart of a city, it no longer uses apples grown on the premesis to make the cider, Kozinski said.
Kozinski said the mill offers much more than cider and history. Mill-goers can purchase donuts, jellies, pies and plenty of fresh apples.
"We have as many varieties as the state produces," Kozinski said.
Those wishing to experience a relaxing and picturesque atmosphere should definetely stop by the mill, Kozinski said.
"We're located on the banks of the Huron River," he said. "We have a nice vista."
Kozinski said hundreds of University students visit the mill each week. "They come by river, by land or by bike."
"I'd imagine they've either got leftover beer money or have saved up their hard-earned tution money," he said.
He said one student favorite is the mill's "wonderful, big caramel apple."
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill comes in as a close second in the historic orchards race. The orchard has been operating in Manchester for 106 years.
"We've had a lot of students from the U-M up here over the years," said Sandy Alber, orchard manager.
Students really enjoy the orcahrd, according to Alber.
"They ride their bikes out," Alber said. "They enjoy the scenery. We're in the country and its pretty.
"They sit at picnic tables, drink cider and eat donuts."
Alber said she thinks students enjoy the great variety at the Alber Orchard, being able to choose from 42 varieties of apples throughout the season.
Another local establishment, Wasem Fruit Farms in Milan, offers both an orchard and a cider mill.
"We offer pick-your-own or already picked apples," said Bruce Upston, Wasem Fruit Farms manager.
Upston said the farms have been operating since the mid-'50s, and the mill since 1960, yielding a lot of choices for visitors.
"We raise 24 different varieties of apples," Upston said. "But we never have all of those at one time sonce some come on either early or late in the season."
Apples are not growing alone on the farms. Plums and pears are also available right now.
Other popular farm features are the donut kitchen and "common farm market items," Upston said.
Tours are offered for students of all ages, Upston said. "But they're geared for kindergarteners or pre-schoolers," he said.
"We don't really have any 'entertainment,'" Upston said. "But visitors can watch cider-making or apple-grating."
"We're just a basic apple orchard," he said.
Students from all area colleges and universities frequent the farms, Upston said. "We get athletic teams, frats and sororities out here."
Fall is here. Apples are here. Take advantage.
Members of the Michigan Cycling Team, Adam Pollock, Jenny Bleier, Seth Kleinglass and Matt Curin, stop for a cider break at Dexter Cider Mill (above), while Michael Freedman and Kevin Sullivan enjoy an afterschool treat at the Dexter Cider Mill (left).