Last week we were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with our married children and the grandchildren. It was a delight to watch the grandkids enjoy being out in nature, spending precious time with their cousins.
I watched the older cousins flock around the youngest. We enjoyed picnics along the coast of Lake Superior. The older ones kayaked while the others (Grandpa & Grandma included) hiked on a trail through the Estivant Pines with the younger ones.
We even swam in Lake Superior. Actually, some swam, but I was satisfied to submerge up to my shoulders—very briefly.
There was the opportunity for teaching. What is an agate? One of the aunts showed the children how to identify an agate, as the children picked rocks. Below are polished and unpolished agates.
Thimbleberries grow wild in the forest, beside creeks, sometimes along the road.
I gave a little demonstration on making thimbleberry jam. The children watched with interest. After tasting the jam, the children were enthused about finding the wild berries.
When we went into a little shop selling baked goods and various jams and jellies, my granddaughter grabbed my arm. “Look,” she said. They are selling an 8 ounce jar of thimbleberry jam for $25 dollars!”
Enthusiasm for picking the wild berries went up another notch.
Sharing they post with Senior Salon Pit Stop and the Five Minute Friday writing community and Sweet Tea and Friends and also Inspire Me Monday.
Carol I loved hearing about the great time your family had visiting Lake Superior.
I appreciate you sharing your trip with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
I love the picture your words paint of precious family time. Thank you for sharing these moments with us.
Thank you for sharing your links with us at #273 SSPS Linky and the mention of where you party. See you again next week.
Sounds like a delightful family vacation.
I have never heard of thimbleberries.
Never heard of thimbleberry,
not in all this time,
so now I’d like to float this query:
does it make good wine?
Would it be white, would it be red?
Would it be tart or sweet?
Served with chicken? Fish instead?
Or maybe with raw meat?
Is it aged in oaken casks
to get a smoky flavour?
Or are there other arcane tasks
that makes it fit to savour
for one like me who often talks
of his fav’rite wine from cardboard box?
If you’re interested, the wine most commonly served in Jesus’time was likely similar to an Armenian white wine made with Dabouki grapes.
I imagine it would make a sweet red wine. The jam is so good.
It’s funny how quick kids learn the value of money! Even in August I would think the lake water would be pretty nippy. Getting in to even the waste would be more than what I would attempt. Fun family memories.
It probably took me a half hour of gradually walking out in the water–up to my ankles, then knees, then thighs, then waist before doing a quick dunk. Lake Superior is cold!!!
hahahah, still I would not have been so brave. burrrrr!!
What a beautiful time with your family, Carol! And it is precious to see them appreciate your thimble jam.