So, we have been spontaneously visiting family in the Northwest.  As we were driving along the smoky roads (thanks to all the wildfires) I kept noticing these familiar looking bushes.  TONS of them.  Finally, we pulled off and I checked them out.  Score!  Wild blackberries!  In just 15 minutes or so, I picked enough standing only about two feet off the side of this remote roadway to make jam.

I am learning a lot about wild food gathering.  I can now find blackberries, huckleberries, thimble berries and service berries.  Let’s just hope I don’t eventually find the bears who also like to enjoy these late summer treats! For more information on wild food gathering, one of my favorite books has been Nature’s Garden by Samuel Thayer.