Huckleberry Heaven

When the word huckleberry comes up a discussion often ensues…is it really a huckleberry or is it a wild blueberry? I won’t settle the argument here, but just tell you that my pa, who is a botanist by training, says they are huckleberries. To the Native Indian tribes the huckleberry was a major staple of their diet. They viewed the tiny star shape atop each berry as a sign and considered it sent by the Great Spirit to feed his hungry children. These “star berries” are higher in antioxidants than almost all commercially grown fruits and vegetables. The flavor is more tart than blueberries with an intense flavor, a slightly crunchy texture and a thick skin. For generations my family has made the annual trek to the high country in search of the bountiful wild berries and we take great pride in serving the luscious fare throughout the long NW winters in huckleberry sauce, pancakes, muffins, pudding, vinegar, pie, and preserves.
We may tell you that the bushes are loaded and the plump berries are as big as your thumb, but if you ask where we pick you may get a vague look and some garbled directions. It is similar to inquiring about someone’s favorite morel hunting ground. I will say that from our site the view looks at the mighty Komo Kulshan about the 6000’ level, so if you have a map you just might find them. This year the youngest member of our clan, 15 month old Ava Kahlila, made her second trek to our berry site. After picking our fill we hiked to the top of the butte for the view and sunset, while Ava’s dad, Matthew drove his four wheel rig up the rutted, washed out road. We encountered him with back right wheel a foot and a half off the ground, front right in soft crumbling earth and
bottom stuck atop the washout. But that is another story!



Had I not been so intent on filling my bucket, I would have taken more photos...









but I did capture this indian paintbrush
and a couple of shots of the mountain.



Listening to the distant roar of the
glacial melt cascading from the
mountainside...

the fragrant, hushed high
mountain air...

is just about as close to
heaven as I have
ever been!