A Bountiful Experience

Hatcher Pass

The Alaskan Blueberry

The Alaskan Crow berry

Now that is better

  The following day (Saturday, Aug. 25th) we headed off to a place called Hatcher Pass.  Our primary objective for the day was to find some delicious blue berries.  When we first arrived the area was pretty much vacant, but as the day went on, the number of berries pickers increased, although we also grew in our understanding for where to look for the berries.  Our first attempts to find blueberries yielded very little fruit.  So we settled for picking crow berries (also known as black berries to the Alaskans).  These berries were not nearly as delicious to consume on the spot, but we harvested them in hopes that with the help of sugar and other ingredients they might turn into something delicious.  We worked diligently filling our Tupperware, knowing that the gifts which God provides in the summer/fall, are what Kara will be eating throughout the long, dark, cold winter.  There is really nothing quite like delicious jam, or other items to liven up a winter.  After picking for quite sometime, we decided that it was time to break for lunch.  We found some really nice rocks and settled in to enjoy our cheese on buns, purple carrots, cucumber, cookies, and an apple.  There is nothing like eating food outside with a friend, in the sunshine.  After taking this brief break, we agreed that we could not leave this spot until we had completely filled our containers with blueberries (because once we discovered the hidden droves of blueberries we gave up on the crow berries).  So we picked until our containers could hold no more (Kara knowing that she would return to pick again so that her freezer and cupboards might be full).

smile while looking at the sun

The mine entrance is at the very top and the rest were buildings for engineers, etc.

  After picking berries to our max, we headed off to Independence Mine, an abandoned gold mine.  True to classic creepy fashion, the clouds lowered and the mine was nice and foggy during our viewing.  Unfortunately we could not really go in the mine, or the majority of the old buildings, but we got to walk around the outside and view how time and weather have left the mine pretty much demolished.  It was fun to see this part of Alaskan history.  It was pretty funny to walk along the nicely manicured paths around buildings that are being smashed by the elements.

Independence mine viewed from the top

Ready for devouring!

cranberries and rose hips

  On Sunday I was able to go and worship with Kara at the church which also doubles as an office for her.  It is always interesting to see how different congregations worship or to see what events they have planned (such as the duct tape games).  After church, due to rain, we decided it would be a good day to stay home and make delicious foods.  A Sunday afternoon nap was prior to food preparation of course. We used some of the crow berries we had gathered to make mini pies, which were truly delicious.  The rumor was true, crow berries are way better to cook with (aka doused in sugar), than to simply eat fresh.  I also had the privilege of enjoying the very first salmon that Kara had caught up in Alaska!  Nothing can really beat Alaskan salmon.  Rice, sautéd kale and beet leaves, and roused broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots made for a complete healthy and delicious meal!  While dinner was cooking, we even found time to sneak out into the back yard and pick high bush cranberries and rose hips.  I also got to sample a few ripe low bush cranberries (lingonberries).  We had quite the feast!

crow berry pie

salmon!