A Family pasttime is destroyed

Yesterday it was 60 degrees here in Northern Illinois. We were under all kinds of weather watches all day...but no one expected this:

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ... EASTERN WINNEBAGO COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS... * UNTIL 345 PM CST

A video was taken by a local 13 year old boy of the tornado, which you can view HERE. Thankfully, no one was killed and there were only a few minor injuries. Just as everyone began to breathe a sigh of relief because it was over, we found out that Edwards Apple Orchard, a place where an estimated 225,000 people visit between Labor Day and Thanksgiving EVERY YEAR was destroyed.

My family and I go here every year. We enjoy the delicious Apple Cider donuts among tons of other wonderful treats, there is a kids play area with a pirate ship, maze and several tractors that the kids can play on. There's a huge barn with hundreds of antiques, including cars, tractors, farm machinery and even antique cider presses! In fact, just this fall Clone got to watch employees of the orchard making apple cider by hand. This local news report shows some of the devastation.

Going to Edwards Apple Orchard is a tradition for many families, and not just in this part of the country! The owners hope to be back in business by the fall and I for one will be anxiously awaiting any news on this.