Alaskan Blueberries

The kids and I did our first "real Alaskan" thing today.  We went and picked wild blueberries.

A friend took us up to a place called The Dome.  It was amazingly beautiful and especially lovely to be up out of the valley where the sun is bright and hot.

 
Oh, the views!

There are native flowers everywhere, as well as some sort of rosemary-type scented plant that sends up a calming aroma with every step. 

Besides the blueberries, there are low-bush cranberries (these aren't ripe yet) and some sort of black berry that is possibly edible too, but I need to do some research on it. 

The berries are there, but you have to look hard.  The entire dome is covered in plants.

It's not hard to imagine why this is bear country. I can just see them gorging themselves on all the deliciousness to be had.  My friend had a gun with her just in case...this is Alaska after all.  I need to get with the program (shooting practice and a ladies gun club is on my "to-do" list)

Elsa and Isaac had a blast (the other 3 stayed home with Daddy)


They worked hard, but when they were tired, they settled in on the soft ground to enjoy the rest of the day

I didn't have much of a harvest, but I think it was just a beginners issue.  Next time will be better.

The wild blueberries are a little more sour than store bought, or even home grown berries, but they have a vibrant flavor (I can almost taste the anti-oxidants!).   The unripe green berries oddly taste a lot like a granny smith apple...weird I know, but they're kinda good!
 

 Elsa promptly passed out when we got home. Lydia was happy to see her sissy and joined her in peaceful slumber. Awww.

It was a great day in Alaska.