In the serene embrace of autumn, one finds a realm steeped in dreams, where imagination and reality dance together under a languid summer sky. The allure of this season hints at whimsical adventures and tranquil escapes from everyday life.
CASTLE OF INDOLENCE
Apple Country
Oak Glen, California, offers a refreshing contrast to the sprawling urbanity of Southern California. Standing at an elevation of one mile, the air here is pure and revitalizing, creating a peaceful environment that moves at a leisurely pace, devoid of the chaos typically found in cities.
There are no traffic lights or fast-food chains marring the landscape. Billboards and power lines, unfortunately common in the valley below, do not intrude upon this beautiful setting.
The built environment blends harmoniously with nature, as a winding mountain road leads to gently sloping apple orchards nestled between larger hills.
Many of the original orchards and farms, established over a century ago, continue their legacy today. Locals and visitors can savor fresh apple cider and delicious apple pies available from charming family-run stands and rustic farmhouse eateries, where the delightful aromas of BBQ and baked goods fill the crisp air.
Remarkably, only a small portion of the 22 million residents of Southern California are aware of this hidden gem. Even fewer venture off the beaten path to experience its charms. Those who don’t are truly missing a special opportunity.
Riley’s Farm
On a recent Saturday, we made our way to Riley’s Farm for an afternoon filled with nostalgic family fun, and we were pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed apple picking with the kids, relished roasted corn, sipped sarsaparilla, and admired the sunset beyond a western ridge from a handcrafted wooden chair.
As the stars emerged, we were treated to a delightful evening featuring a feast, captivating theater, and plenty of barn dancing. A sumptuous spread of pumpkin soup, steak, baked beans, potato, cornbread, iceberg salad, and apple pie warmed our spirits, all paired with steaming hot apple cider. The farm’s theater company beautifully brought to life Washington Irving’s beloved tale, *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow*.
We met the unpredictable Ichabod Crane, the rough-and-tumble Brom Bones, the enchanting Katrina Van Tassel, and many other vivid characters from Tarrytown. But that was just the beginning. After indulging in the meal and taking a hayride on a tractor-pulled flatbed, the barn’s seating was cleared, and the night truly transformed.
We participated in pumpkin carving and seed-spitting contests, followed by apple bobbing and a lively pie-eating competition. Later in the evening, as line dancing took over, the Headless Horseman made a dramatic appearance, sending Ichabod into a wild dash down the farm trail.
This delightful escape from the frenetic pace of daily life provided a refreshing contrast to the ongoing focus on markets and financial worries. We’ll return to our usual thoughts on finance later this week, but for now, let us leave you with some thoughtful excerpts from Washington Irving and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow…
An Autumn Encounter with the Headless Horseman
“The dominant spirit that haunts this enchanted region seems to command all the powers of the air, appearing as a headless figure on horseback. Some say he is the ghost of a Hessian trooper, his head lost to a cannonball in an unknown battle during the Revolutionary War, seen by locals racing through the night as if propelled by the wind.”
“Ichabod, who felt no affinity for this eerie midnight companion, recalling Brom Bones’ encounter with the Galloping Hessian, urged his steed forward to escape. The mysterious figure mirrored his speed. Ichabod slowed, hoping to fall behind, but the specter matched him step for step. A deep sense of dread settled in as he struggled to regain his composure.”
“The silent persistence of this headless phantom was both enigmatic and terrifying. Upon reaching a higher ground, Ichabod’s worst fears were confirmed as he beheld the figure against the night sky—tall, cloaked, and horrifyingly headless, the missing head resting on the saddle in front of him!”
“‘If I can reach that bridge,’ Ichabod thought, ‘I will be safe.’ At that moment, he heard the heavy breathing of the dark steed close behind him; he could almost feel its hot breath. With a final desperate urge, Gunpowder, his horse, leaped onto the bridge, thundering over the wooden planks. Ichabod, now on the other side, glanced back, hoping his pursuer would vanish in a burst of flame.”
“Just then, he saw the ghastly figure rising in its stirrups, preparing to throw its head at him. Ichabod dodged, but it was too late. The projectile struck him with a resounding thud, sending him tumbling into the dust, while Gunpowder, the headless rider, and the rushing wind surged past like a storm.”
“This mysterious event spurred a great deal of speculation in the church the following Sunday. Groups gathered in the churchyard, at the bridge, and at the spot where Ichabod’s hat and the pumpkin were discovered. They recalled tales of Brouwer, of Bones, and shared countless others, eventually concluding that Ichabod had been spirited away by the Galloping Hessian.”
Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism
Return from An Autumn Encounter with the Headless Horseman to Economic Prism
