SADLER, Tex. -- With a struggling economy and skyrocketing gas prices, families across Texoma are staying home this summer. We're here to help with hot spots across the area that are fun for the whole family. This week, Nicole Holt stopped at Bailey's Berry Patch in Sadler.

Bailey's Berry Patch, located in Sadler, Texas, is just a few miles off of Highway 82.

Ann and Pearce Bailey say they keep a family atmosphere 24-7. “It's clean and it's neat. We encourage parents and grandparents to bring their children.”

Five days a week, this outdoor berry farm turns into a bushel of fun for kids of ages even those grownups who like to have a good time. Every Saturday, the Baileys hold a festival like event with picture taking and singing.

Once those sweet berries are ripe, the farm turns into a colorful treat just ready for the picking. Ann says, “We have plums, pomegranates, pears, and plums we sell . We normally have those even though our freeze got those.”

For those new to the berry picking business, it's easy. Just follow your nose, for it's more simple and sweet than you'd think. “We give them a bucket to pick berries. They don’t pay in advance; we will tell them what to look for as far as ripe berries, because if they don’t taste good, it's because you are not picking them ripe!”

These berries are almost there; just give them a few more days. When they are ready the bitter sweet taste makes your mouth water. "We’ve got a bigger crop of berries this year. The berries are bigger and more beautiful this year.”

Many may think picking blueberries and blackberries can be a task, but Ann says it's quite simple. “Blackberries, if you have to pull it at all, they are not ready. We clean and bag blueberries so when they get home they can freeze them without having to do anything else.”

This farm is more than just colorful berries, it's a serene place. Full of picnic tables and a big pond, who wouldn't want to lay out a blanket for a peaceful afternoon?

Last year's floods would have stopped a lot of folks, but not the Baileys. “Oh, we had a ball. We had an absolute ball. We kept a tractor up here and pulled cars out of the mud, picked berries in the mud, we had a great time.”

This year looks to be even better. What was once a hobby has turned into a blooming business the Baileys love to share.

For more information, check out http://www.txberry.com