Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Returning to Wild Strawberries


My first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains from my seat at 35,000 feet always evokes deep emotion. It's a feeling of renewed wonder, childlike excitement, and a sense of homecoming so strong I have to duck my head to hide my tears. This quickening of my pulse and butterflies in my stomach almost make up for the last five hours of Mateo using my face as a motorcross course, my thighs as a trampoline, and my clothes as sponges for juice. It's been a long flight and I am returning to my hometown in Northern British Columbia.

The Bulkley Valley is nestled between three major mountain ranges, has several rivers that divide the rolling farmland, and boasts clear blue, glacial-fed lakes. I could write a whole travel brochure on how picturesque it is and still never do it justice; however, I have traveled a lot and declare this some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever known.

My parents property is a magical, overgrown 23 acres tucked under the shadow of a huge mountain and near a private lake. The setting effortlessly encourages a reversion back to childhood; for who wants to do grown-up things when one can chase ducks, climb trees, catch minnows, gather flowers and pick berries?


Ah, the berries.

I had barely dropped my suitcase on the front porch before I was out in the hillsides, on hands and knees, picking wild strawberries. They were everywhere and they were big. The first taste brought back so many memories of being a little girl, when I would pick handful after handful and eat them all myself, my hands stained with the juice.


Wild strawberries can hardly be compared with domestic. They are intensely sweet, powerfully fragrant and so juicy it requires a delicate hand to gather them. They are probably among my top five favorite things to eat ever, and it's rare that I get a chance to eat a whole bowl of them.

So I had two.


There was even enough left over for Noah's cereal in the morning. How decadent!

We're off to a great start here in beautiful B.C.

Note: Excerps from this post were previously published on July 12, 2007

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have never seen such wonders! Brilliant. Enjoy!

Cheers,

*Heather8

Melissa said...

Your pictures are gorgeous but the words you typed are even more beautiful.

Jennifer said...

With their adornment of seed-laden hollows these wild berries look like candied pin cushions. What a treat! Enjoy your homecoming.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I've never seen or obviously eaten wild strawberries. I'd love to be digging into that bowlful.

You're right it does seem like a excellent start to your vacation!
~ingrid

Lo said...

Oh, gosh! I can just taste those. Your parents property sounds fantastic... and it sounds like the PERFECT start to a vacation!

Deborah said...

Wow - what gorgeous strawberries! I have to admit, I never knew there were wild strawberries like that!

Unknown said...

Wow! Gorgeous strawberries! Never eaten, or even seen these kind! Bet they must taste delicious! Lucky you!!

Creative Classroom Core said...

What amazing looking berries! So cool! Ive never seen anything like them!

Peter M said...

Count me in...I've never seen the strawberry in all her wild beauty. Enjoy the Left Coast!

Lucy said...

I went on a walk in Germany recently, and we only managed a small handful of (albeit delicious) wild strawberries. The bowl of yours looks utterly beautiful, but I doubt it was around long after its photo shoot ;)

Cheryl Arkison said...

That top photo is almost spooky.
Hope you are having a good time, see you on Friday!

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

Oh, those make me homesick. I grew up in Northern Ontario where such wonders were prevelent. I now live in southern ontario and those are a rare sight indeed.

Have a great vacation!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I have to admit, I have never had a wild strawberry. Although seeing all of them in that bowl I'm a little jealous. They look amazing!

Julie said...

I AM SO JEALOUS!
I haven't had a decent strawberry yet this summer. I just might shrivel up and die.

CookiePie said...

Gorgeous!!!

Maria said...

Gorgeous berries!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Welcome back Aimee. Enjoy!

Toddler Nutrition said...

Too Good!I remember having such fresh berries with fresh cream. It's real yummy.

Melanie said...

Those wild strawberries are crazy looking! Do they still taste like actual strawberries? Really cool!

Design Squish Blog said...

Beautiful! I love wild strawberries so so much. There are lots in Russia. Right now I live in NY state but there are not that many wild strawberries here. I miss collecting a lot of them and then eating all of them at once!

The Purple Foodie said...

oooh wild strawberries! I've heard so mcuh about them. I really want to try them after reading your post.

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