Fresh Fruit & Free Camping at The Bush n Vine
Fresh foods just taste better. I have never gone to a grocery store and picked up any sort of produce that tasted anything like it does strait off the farm.
I grew up in a small (population 1,121) farming community in West Texas and if you didn’t have something edible growing in your yard, you were the odd man out.
Some of my fondest memories as a child are sitting out in the dirt, eating those warm sun-ripened fruits and vegetables right from the vine, tree or bush. Can you imagine an 8 year old today snapping off raw black eyed peas and eating them like candy?! I even remember destroying ants one by one so they didn’t get to my strawberries before I did (granted this was long before the days of internet at home, cell phones and candy crush).
While I don’t enjoy raw peas as much now as I did then, my love for picking my own fruits and vegetables is still just as strong!
So, you can imagine how excited I get each time we come across a Harvest Hosts farm stay.
This spring we visited a lot of farms and wineries throughout North and South Carolina. But when we arrived at the Bush n Vine, I was especially disappointed…because we were there too flippin early!
As we strolled along the farms self guided walking tour we were greeted with lovely pink blossoms, tiny green sprigs just sprouting from the ground and rows of ripening strawberries and bouquets of lettuce.
Luckily there were buckets of those plump red strawberries for the taking and a few varieties of lettuce, so we didn’t have to drive away empty handed.
The Bush n Vine is part of Harvest Hosts so we camped here free for two nights and because it was early in the season it was extremely quiet. I would imagine the summer time would be a lot busier and they might not allow you to stay more than one night. For more information on how you can stay at a farm for free, read our Harvest Hosts article. And if you join, use the coupon code: HHWYNNS and get a 10% discount!
People always look at me like I am crazy when I tell them I enjoy the Harvest Hosts farms almost more than I do the wineries. Call me crazy, but I do have a love affair with food and yes, even where it comes from.
What do you look forward to on your travels? Tell us your favorite stops and stays in the comments below.
James Hickox
Hi Nikki. You mentioned growing up in West Texas. Is that the city of West or west of the Brazos. BTW, I really miss Westfest in West.
Jason Wynn
Nikki grew up in Hart, TX. We did one of our first RV trips up to her high school reunion and did a little documentary of the town’s big festival: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/hart-days-tx
mary van
Beautiful photos! Makes me want to be there!
Tom
You are so right. There is simply no comparison between commercial produce and homegrown. The one drawback is that it takes a goodly amount of time to maintain a big garden, so the next best thing is to visit someone else’s farm!
paul van
Sounds way cool. I remember a vacant lot I used to mow when I was fourteen. Lined with hedges full of blackberries and raspberries. I was in heaven, nope just Kansas, ToTo!
Sharon
I’m right there with you when you reminisce of childhood memories, picking fruit and vegetables right off the vines, tress, bushes, etc.
I was raised on an apricot ranch in the SF Bay Area, and it was truly the Valley of Hearts Delight (not so much anymore). We had a half acre garden surrounded by 20 acres of apricots and sprinkled with almonds, walnuts, prune, peaches, figs, apples, prickly pear – you name, we grew it.
I can’t wait to get out on the road and stay at a Harvest Host farm. Thanks for the info. BTW – you are currently in our favorite place in all of California. We lived North San Diego County for 5 years and hope to someday return.
thanks for the info on Harvest Host Farms!!
Steve
YES! Harvest Host is nice. We joined this summer and were impressed at our first stay. The second place was a vineyard with a world class view, perched on top of a ridge line overlooking the valley. We stayed there three nights, and on the Friday night there was a jazz band, really cool. The third, yes even better, was a blue berry and cherry farm on the northeastern side of Mt. Hood. All had wonderful views, great host that told us about their farms or vineyards. They all knew where the best local restaurants where and sites to visit. Now our Harvest Host sites are not just a place for an overnight stay, they are a destination for local sites.
My family an I have enjoyed your site and videos now for a few years. Alway good info and a lot of fun to watch a young couple doing life on your own terms.
Merri
I’ve read a lot of full-timer blogs over the years but never heard about Harvest Hosts. This is great info; thanks for sharing!
Jennie
Are there very many farms with the Harvest Host or is it mainly wineries?
Nikki Wynn
We have found a pretty good amount of farms so far! There really is a nice variety.
Jennie
Good to know! We are thinking about getting a membership when we go full-time, but was told it’s mainly wineries…and we don’t really drink. Thanks for the info!