Some very welcome dinner guests arrive this weekend.

They come from a sunny valley filled with flowering trees...stay a few weeks...then vanish. Don't miss these favorite visitors: starting this Saturday (June 13), Cali cherries will be ripe and ready in Leona Valley, and a cluster of "u-pic" orchards will swing open their doors. Tips for a sweet get-together:

Call ahead. Cherries run out fast (often within two weekends, no surprise at about $3/lb.)--be sure they're still there before you go.

Dress casual. Like all guests, cherries can leave a mess, so wear something you don't mind staining. Hand wipes and scissors (to cut stems) are a good idea, too.

Bring a map. All the orchards grow different varieties, from giant (Tieton) to super-sweet (Rainier). Get a free map in town, or print it here.

Make small talk. Ask if the orchard is part of the Leona Valley Cherry Grower's Association: all their members are pesticide-free.

Keep it short. Look for dwarf trees at orchards such as Amber's and Windy Ridge: you won't need a ladder, and even kids can reach.

Be sure to get plenty. Goodbyes are the pits.