Bright pink-stained fingers and cherry juice dripping down our chins—that's how every July unfolded during our cherished annual trip “Up North” to Traverse City, Michigan.
Did you know that Traverse City is The Cherry Capital of the world? It is located on the 45th parallel of the earth and it has ideal growing conditions for grapes and cherries. Back in the 1800's farmers figured out the climate and soil was perfect for these little red gems.
In 1925, Traverse City hosted its first ever National Cherry Festival and to this day it is still going strong and one of the most popular summer festivals in the country. This region now produces over 80% of the U.S. Tart Cherry supply.
Okay, back to my story…
Every summer, our family would spend time in Traverse City with sand dune climbing, lake swimming, and of course, cherry-picking and eating! Everywhere you looked, there were hand-painted signs like "Cherries 1 Mile" or "U-Pick Cherries," practically begging you to stop.
These little white market stands were sprinkled all along the winding roads, each brimming with rows upon rows of berry baskets, overflowing with the darkest, juiciest red cherries you could imagine. We'd grab a handful, savoring the taste of sweet and tart.
We had favorite farm stands and we would be sure to make a stop each day on our way to the beach. We'd snack on cherries while basking in the sun and playing in the sand, keeping them cool in our icy chest, ready to pop into our mouths throughout the day. It was a simple yet sublime pleasure.
Some stands even sold homemade cherry pies – pure summer heaven! After a day at the lake, we'd race to grab a warm-from-the-oven cherry pie, the buttery crust overflowing with caramelized goodness. My parents would even let us have a few bites right there, the perfect balance of sweet and tart melting in our mouths.
Now that I have my family, the tradition lives on! We bring the kids to Traverse City and hit up those same roadside stands with the familiar hand-painted signs. These days, the stands are loaded with everything cherry you can imagine – salsa with a kick, sticky jams, and even deep pink cherry wine.
But nothing tastes quite as good as a fresh cherry. With each bite, I'm instantly transported back to my younger self, reliving those sun-soaked days, laughing as cherry juice drips down my chin. The cycle of joy continues, one cherry at a time.
Have you had the chance to experience Traverse City cherries or one of those adorable fruit stands? Just hit reply, I would love to hear them!
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