Kim, Laura and I headed out to Aamodt’s Apple Farm this past Saturday in order to pick Kim’s favorite, Honeycrisps.
Well, after driving through 35 minutes of some threatening looking cloud cover, we arrived at Aamodt’s and found it to be quite a bit smaller than any other orchards we’ve visited especially Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, MN.
We walked into the main area which included a food/drink stand, bakery outlet, dry and canned food items, and of course apples. I was a little shocked at the low volume of what they had and really couldn’t understand my co-workers’ near obsession with this place and I was absolutely floored that they were a “Best of the Twin Cities”. I guess Jordan doesn’t count as the “Twin Cities” area?
Anyway, Kim wandered around and got some apple donuts and eventually located a guy who would direct us to the proper fields for picking Honeycrisps at this peak time of year. Well, we thought he would at least.
What actually occurred was a bit of a surprise. We were informed by this young man that about three weeks ago (one week prior to the famed Honeycrisp harvest) that “something” happened to the crop and the only option was to buy the shitty apples stuck in the bins on the floor behind us. The guy wasn’t clear what this “something” was and I wasn’t in any mood to inquire further. Kim, obviously disappointed, went to the measly apples in the bin and picked through them slowly and took home quite a few less than she expected on this final peak weekend of Honeycrisp season.
We left the dismal farm and headed out to Stillwater to wander around much like we did on the weekend we visited the utterly shitty Afton Inn and had a nice lunch (with absolutely fucking terrible service) at the Freight House Restaurant. I picked up a cookbook from 1937 that had some excellent canning recipes and some other great ideas that I hope to be putting into use soon.
While the rain didn’t actually start until after we were hiking up the hill to the car after lunch, it still put a damper on the drive home. It certainly added an exclamation point to the fact that Aamodt’s was a huge disappointment and should really lose that “Best Of” title it so prominently displays on its wall.
I have some pictures from the Freight House here (mobile) and here (camera). I have some more of the farm itself on my camera. Maybe I’ll pull them off and get them up. Just don’t hold your breath, I really don’t even think it’s worth my time.
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October 2nd, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Having grown up less than 5 miles from the orchard, the insane line of traffic that clogged my families commute to and from our home. I think I’ve only been there actually once in all my years with I’ve known about the place, Maybe twice. The orchard used to be much bigger before Applewood Hills was developed about 10 years ago, they used to have hay rides, nordic skiing and a host of fall family activities.
It’s a cliche place to go, and i’ve never expected too much from the place. We found a far bigger place down near Afton last fall. More space than I care to walk around, lots of apples, even past prime season, pumpkins, petting zoo and chainsaw carving!
That’s my two cents!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Tim,
Thanks for the explanation. We were really wondering what all the commotion was about and it’s great to hear from a local what happened.
It still doesn’t explain the recent “Best Of” award but it does give me an idea why my co-workers think it’s so great — nostalgia?
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 am
I’ve never been to Aamodt’s, but if you and Kim are looking for an orchard closer to home, check out Applewood down in Lakeville off of 225th and Cedar. My folks drove down there last week to pick Haralsons and were pleased. Their web page is http://www.applewoodorchard.com and while they now just have pre-picked Honeycrisps, it might be a place to keep in mind for next year.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:45 am
Patti,
Thanks for the heads up. Last year we went down to Mazeppa’s Apple Ridge Orchard and while it was better than Aamodt’s, it was a bit expensive to go pick your own (they made you ride the hayride the 2 minutes up the hill to pick and that cost like $5/adult).
See pictures from there here (mobile).
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I’ve eaten at the freight house and it sucked when we ate there too. If you want a decent meal in Still water, The Dock is the best place. It’s too expensive though. We have also eaten at the malt shop right downtown and that is pretty good and much cheaper than either the freight house or The Dock. We were there the other night and ate Chicago dogs from a little stand. They were good too.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Andy,
To clarify, the food was ok it was just the service that sucked. I have no tolerance for bad service in general but especially when the place is as empty as it was when we first arrived.
Thanks for the heads up on The Dock; we’ll try it out next time we are up that way :)
October 14th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I posted the pictures from my camera here.