"The temperate zone is the native home of the apple. All around the world it finds its best general temperature for growth in this zone. In the temperate zone, it inclines to the north and finds there, rather than in the south, its best, or 'optimum,' condition [for] growth."

That empirical observation, taken directly from the pages of The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture in 1914, could well have been written solely about the climactic conditions inherent throughout Michigan's northwestern counties. Nestled amidst the rolling, verdant hills above the 45th parallel, this fecund panorama is home to some of the more beautiful orchards located anywhere in the United States.

Most of these farms have been owned by single families and have been passed on to their children and their children's children, through four or five generations. Their exquisite orchards produce a wide variety of deciduous fruits.

Michigan is world renown for its savory dark sweet cherries, its tart cherries, and apple varieties almost too numerous to count. Traverse City is nick-named the "cherry capital of the world," and the orchards in the surrounding communities bear testament to that. Travel north from Traverse City, on US 31, and - for a distance of more than 50 miles - you may stop in to dozens of fruit stands and farm markets to purchase unique products found nowhere else - certainly not at most big-city supermarkets. Many working family farms offer tours and 'u-pick' opportunities, also.

For information about the newest cherry variety, which made its debut in Michigan only a few years ago, please visit the Balaton website. This large, semi-sweet, deep burgundy stone fruit comes to us by way of Hungary, where it is grown in the rich farming region near the Russian border.

King Orchards, located on M-88 between the small towns of Eastport and Central Lake, has begun to specialize in growing this delectable new cherry.

Balatons are delicious for fresh eating, and they make absolutely scrumptious preserves. At the lavish farm market owned and operated by Friske Orchards, Balaton Cherry Rhubarb Preserves has become the hot product of the season. Available nowhere else, this mouth-watering sweet spread is so delectable that one can eat it straight off the spoon!

Friske's farm market is ideally situated on highway US 31, appx. 12 miles south of Charlevoix. Enter the main building for treats from the Old World Cafe and Bakery, which is open year-round for early morning coffee through late afternoon repast.

To the left of main entrance, visitors are invited into a modest, climate-controlled room where they may select from the stellar display of luscious fruits and vegetables grown on the family farm.

Wander through the vintage-era General Store, where the eye delights upon a veritable cornucopia of specialty items, all tradtionally crafted and designed to enhance both kitchen and dining rooms.

No trip to Friske's is complete without a visit to the magnificent and opulent Country Haus. Opened in 2001, on the property adjacent to the main building, the Country Haus overflows with unique and luxurious merchandise from all over the world. From hand-crafted place-mats and napkins, in a rich variety of country themes, to Russian matriochkii; from tote bags to imported lace shawls; from unique items for the bath (along with the usual scented soaps, bath beads, and lotions), to utilitarian granite coasters, each with a pithy saying engraved upon its face - the stunning array of singular objects d'art render the Country Haus one of the best places to shop in all of northern Michigan.

Don't forget to return to the bakery, for take-out order of the very best donuts-with-maple-icing to be found anywhere on this planet, a box of cherry or apple strudel 'bites', and the newest fruit pie sensation: apple-cherry pie, with filling made from those scrumptious Balatons!

Another fruit and farm market can be found appx. one mile south of the town of Elk Rapids, at Altonen Orchards. In addition to its fresh-from-the-oven home-baked fruit pies of every conceivable variety, Altonen's boasts one of northern Michigan's finest greenhouses. Open from the first of May through mid-summer, visitors will find a bountiful selection of colourful blooms and hanging plants. The greenhouse on U.S. 31 is a paradise for both the professional landscaper and the home gardener.

Every Friday throughout the summer season until the end of October, the Altonen crew sets up shop on the grounds of the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce. I purchased some of the most exceptional early-season apples, Gingergolds, from the Altonen market booth there.

Slightly off the beaten path, but well worth the scenic drive north from Traverse City on M-22, visitors can enjoy breath-takingly beautiful vistas across the whole length of the Leelanau Peninsula as they head into the quaint village of Northport. Surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan and Northport Bay, John and Phyllis Kilcherman maintain one of the rare orchards in the state devoted primarily to the cultivation of antique, or heirloom, apples. These varieties were first brought to this country during colonial times. With names as rich as their heritage - such as Maiden Blush, Fameuse, Sweet Bough, Winesap, and Spitzenberg - these antique apples were used mainly for baking and cooking, and processed into hard cider. Today, Christmas Cove Farm is home to more than two hundred different kinds of apples. Consumers can choose from the tastes of our founding fathers to some of the newer varieties found in the current marketplace.

To feast your eyes on one dozen resplendent pictures of heirloom varieties, accompanied by a brief history of each, please visit Christmas Cove Farm.

The beauty and bounty of northern Michigan has made this area a favourite vacation spot. Enjoy!

Email: Springtime Splendor