Elberta, Ala. — "Over the river and through the woods" isn't quite the route one would take to find the simpler times at Hillcrest Farms. Instead take a left off Highway 98 and you're a gravel road and a dirt road away.

Set alongside the stretch of road between Elberta and Lillian, the U-Pick farm is marked by an understated sign and seems to be miles away from today's busy world.

Operating for 30 years, owner Laurel Hixson has a knack for the business.

She and her husband, Carroll, moved from Pensacola at what they thought was the primetime of their life to turn to farming.

"We got to be in our fifties and decided that if we were ever going to make a radical change, that was the time to do it. If you got any older you said 'I'm too old' and earlier we hadn't finished what we were doing," said Hixson.

So the two moved in the early 80s and have been running the farm ever since.

After a few test run years, the couple learned the ropes. Since a harvest of peaches and apples were eaten up by local deer in one of those years the crop was adjusted to offer what can be found there today.

"We have blueberries in June, figs in July sometimes," said Hixson. "Muscadines, scuppernongs, grapes, pears and persimmons are in August and September and then cumquats are after that."

A day at the farm is relaxed — customers start and finish when they want within the hours of 6 a.m. until dark, seven days a week.

A picking bucket is provided and pickers are welcome to roam the acres of rows of crops. Sampling is acceptable and encouraged by Hixson, who said that the crops are clean and safe to eat because no pesticides are used.

Charging is by the pound, and while Hixson admits that it isn't cheaper to shop with her, the experience is priceless.

Between the farm's mascot Tewa, a longhaired dog from New Mexico, and friendly wildlife like the rabbit spotted hopping among the crops on the day of this interview, an experience will be had.

Hixson said that she spends every summer watching families come together like they have in previous years to spend quality time on the farm.

"Summers are like a family reunion," said Hixson. "Kids who arrived here first in a stroller are now bringing their own kids in strollers."

A great time with good friends can be found there too, and Hixson said that is one of the best ways to spend a day at Hillcrest Farms.

"I had some ladies who showed up about a quarter to six and they had a thermos of coffee with them, and they had cereal, and they sat at the picnic tables and they drank their coffee and ate their cereal," said Hixson laughing. "They had a good time."

For more information call Hillcrest Farm and Vineyard, 251-962-2500, or just show up and be ready to pick.