Finding your Huckleberry

Have I mentioned that plant identification is a little hobby of mine? In Maryland I had planned a beautiful butterfly garden that could be viewed through our front window and every May we planted our vegetable garden over Mother’s Day weekend. One of my only complaints about the summer we have spent is that I have seldom had dirt under my nails at all.

Beloved butterfly garden at our last home.

With that said, I have a confession. I spent the month of August looking on every outing for huckleberries completely without success. I had visions of huckleberry jam, smoothies, and pancakes and it was beginning to look like it was not going to happen unless I went to a store to buy huckleberries. While some people would hesitate to do that because a cup of this little berry can cost as much as $20 I did not want to do it because I knew they would taste better if the family and I picked them ourselves. 

Wonderful Yarrow

Cat and Mountain Man had not complained to much when I kept dragging everyone out in the heat to search for these berries. The Sandman was my champion, willing to forage near and far and even volunteering to taste any berries we came across when I said I was not sure what they were (rest assured, I did not take him up on that offer, it is very unsafe to put things in your mouth if you are not sure what they are, even more unsafe on a mountainside hours from medical assistance if you make a mistake). Adventurer was happy to go with us but some of our rambling became to much for her tough little feet and I was very thankful for all the years we have spent wearing her in a wrap on our backs because it was quite easy to swing her over my shoulder and just carry her with me and at this age she hangs on and we no longer even need a wrap. Finally, though, I had to admit defeat. I have never seen huckleberries other than pictures and I was fairly certain nothing I was seeing on our hikes was the right berry. I bought a small jar of the jam so we could at least taste the berries and thought I would have to wait for another year to pick our own.

All those babywearing years paid off. 

Out of the blue one day, Cat mentioned to our neighbor, who grew up here and is a farmer and quite use to spending time in the local mountains with his sons, that we had been searching far and wide for huckleberries. He looked at his wife and asked if she would like to show us where to go the next day. She had never gone picking with him, so she seemed almost as eager as we were at the invitation. A plan was made to head out the following morning.

Sandman is always up for adventure.

As this kind, quiet man, who has impressed me from our very first meeting with his gentleness and patience for our Bear’s enthusiastic greetings, walked out to his truck the next morning he handed us two buckets. Apparently we were not too late in the year to expect to possibly find some. I had thought we were merely going to learn where the bushes were and what they looked like to help us the following year. He said, “Well, you never know.” He then drove us straight up the mountain and when we reached the parking lot at the top (what I had thought was as far up as you could go by vehicle) he turned onto a dirt path and continued to drive. His wife asked if we had four wheel drive because it appeared we would need it if we were ever going to go back up on our own. I am not sure what elevation we reached but when the dirt path came to an end he put his truck in park, switched from his driving slippers to a pair of boots that looked quite a bit more rugged and said, “Well, let’s go.” 

At something like 6’5 this quiet man’s long strides were difficult to keep up with as he strode further yet up the mountain. Moving from 40 feet above sea level to more than 5,000 feet above sea level has taken some adjustment. A little bit in the distance he pointed to some bushes with leaves starting to turn red and told us we had found our first patch. We spent the next two hours hunkered down in a squatting position picking berry after berry. It appeared my first mistake had been never going high enough up the mountain and my second had been looking for a bush that might grow to eye level. None of these reached above my knees. 

http://wildandfreemontana.blogspot.com/2010/09/huckleberry-culture.html
This picture and link will take you to more information about  these berries. 

As our fingers became stained with sweet purple juice and our buckets and tummies started to fill, Sandman and I heard a sound like a breaking branch. Cat asked if we had surprised a bear but our guide seemed unconcerned. We continued working our way up through the pine trees, as the berries seem to like to grow in their shade the best, and maybe we were just a little more talkative so as not to surprise anything that might be enjoying the bounty of the forest with us. Suddenly I heard more branches breaking and looking through the greenery I saw a huge bull moose not thirty feet away. Rob said we probably woke a family from their nap as we spotted a mama and her baby at the bull’s side. We continued picking and Cat and Sandman worked their way around me to get closer and have a better view. Rob’s wife said this had to beat any school day in a desk being out in the forest so close to these beautiful animals. Once again, I feel so blessed in my life and the opportunities my family and I have been given. Obviously deciding we were no threat the moose family had their lunch and we spent a short time longer picking before deciding it was time to head home. Rob casually pointed out and identified different plants as we passed by, taking care to mention to Sandman which were edible.

Jar of Huckleberry Jam. YUM

When we arrived home Liz surprised me further by giving us all the berries as they have plenty from previous excursions. I spent a short time cleaning them and sorting them into one cup portions to freeze for those smoothies and pancakes I had dreamed about. Our wonderful neighbors gave us a jar of jam they had already prepared. What a truly wonderful gift people give when they share their time and their knowledge!

I wish night photography was a skill I possessed.

Fun to run into in the night...

PS…

Just as I finished typing this article I went to the camp facilities. As I stepped outside into the dark I startled a very large, dark shape and as it ran one way I ran the other. After dashing back to my trailer to get a good flash light I quietly walked back and discovered a lovely, large, moose standing in the slough that runs behind our camp. She stared at me and I ran home to gather the clan. We all tiptoed back and were able to watch this beautiful creature having her moonlit snack just behind our summer home. I don’t know how anyone can question the existence of God when such miraculous creatures can be found.