I'm one those people - I'll choose a fruit-based dessert over chocolate any day.

I may be giving up part of my camaraderie with most women with that declaration, but whether its peaches, pears, plums or berries, fruit will bump chocolate lower on my list. And there's a special place in my heart for the apple.

An apple tree grew outside my bedroom window when I was a kid, a scraggly tree that never grew higher than five feet, but to this day produces sweet crunchy apples that were part of my lunch from late August until November every year. Little did I know that years later I could discover a roadtrip that was all about apples. 

The Blue Mountains Apple Pie Trail weaves its way north along the shores of Georgian Bay towards Meaford, as well as heading southwest into Beaver Valley. I was up for the challenge to try to conquer some of it. With my friend Karen in tow to help taste and discover, the two of us set out to experience the trail tastes and local attractions.

Leaving the city in the crush of rush hour traffic surrounded by cars and highrises, the landscape soon changed to green rolling hills and farmland. Arriving at the Westin at Blue Mountain, we checked in and made our way through the Village at Blue for a tasty dinner at Three Guys and a Stove. First official apple stop: apple crisp with Ontario white cheddar. 

The next morning after breakfast, we worked up an appetite by kayaking with Free Spirit Tours, paddling the Beaver River. After a bucolic journey, the second apple stop: apple pie at Blackbird Pie Company in Beaver Valley. 

Stopping in the wee town of Clarksburg, we took a peek at apple-inspired art at Loft Gallery and Matilda Swanson Gallery, and then headed over to The Honey House, which offers a wide variety of honey-inspired products, including the third apple stop: apple cinnamon honey. 

Although too early to be yet tasting apples off the tree, we stopped by the side of the road to see the orchards of Red Prince Apple, a new hybrid only grown in this part of Ontario. 

After a quick lunch at Rusty's at Blue Bar & BBQ (with a sweet finish of course, fourth apple stop: apple crumble tart) a little relaxation was in order. Spa Scandinave guides guests to a mellow program of immersing oneself in hot and cool pools and spending quiet moments in Muskoka chairs or hammocks under the trees.

The day finished with a fifth apple stop: dinner at Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill with a dessert of sour cream apple crumble tart paired with Ida Red Frozen to the Core dessert wine from Georgian Hills Vineyards. 

Another night of sweet dreams, and I realized to help me justify more sweet tastes, I needed to kick myself into gear. A morning hike up Blue Mountain along the waterfall path was rewarded with beautiful views and a free ride back down to the Village on the gondola.

After a relaxing hang-out at the Westin pool, we headed to the Scenic Caves, to walk the suspension bridge and hike through the historic limestone caves.

With our last stop in the town of Collingwood, we had a late lunch at the Espresso Post, and made our final apple stop, pairing our paninis with a caramel apple latte. 

So with my apple cravings happily sated, I remembered English author Jane Austen who wrote, "Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness."