Gravenstein apple blossom.

I forgot where I’d taken this shot until I walked down to the goat pen this evening. Oh right—the path winds around this century-old Gravenstein tree.

Before it was the wine country, this area was known for Gravenstein apples—an incredibly well-rounded variety that is great eating, good cooking, and the best cider apple you can imagine. They flower and mature early. The usual spring apple blossom celebration won’t happen this year, but perhaps we can gather again in time for the annual apple fair in August. 

Despite its great age, this old codger of a tree still insists on doing its job.