Seems like not all that long ago I was posting about my youngest son's birth in February of last year. Time has been flying, he's grown into a lightening fast into everything overly curious toddler, of whom Dad could not be more proud.
Over the years I've gotten several requests for Chaga. Some for the
excellent tea, but mostly the requests come from folks who have or have
loved ones who've been diagnosed with cancer. I don't charge for it,
just send it hoping that it helps those who need it.
I cannot attest to whether or not Chaga has the ability to help in the
fight against cancer. More and more information hits the web about chaga
all the time, and in many countries its healing properties are heavily
touted and apparently widely and well known.
Sometimes I hear back from folks that I've shipped chaga to, and most of
the time it's positive news which is great. Sometimes it's not good
news and I share some pain with someone I've never met in person.
Having a few new requests for chaga to fill I set out with a couple hours to bend to the cause.
It was awful hot, well for us it was. It got into the mid to upper 80s. For us that's pretty dang hot.
My favorite foraging gear for chaga hunting is a basket pack. In this
case I also hang two waxed canvas bags to the outer belt. One of them I
use to collect staghorn sumac, and the other I use for miscellaneous
findings. Today I used it for wild flowers.
In the basket I tossed a water bottle, a couple containers to collect
berries in as it is raspberry season, and a berry identification book.
With camera in one hand and a Wetterlings in the other I set out.
I'd decided to do some berry collecting on the way to my Chaga hunting
grounds. Our red raspberries are in the height of their season. I swear I
think I could pick for days on end and never get past a couple patches.
They are thick here and we routinely pick several gallons of them each
summer. My favorite won't be in for another week or two though,
Thimbleberry. Nothing quite like them and they are due in short order.
I did find a Saskatoon Serviceberry tree as well. I wish I could find
more of them, they are quite good, just not enough of them. They're in
some thick stuff, I'm wondering if I cleared out around them if the
trees would take off and produce more? Anyone know if Saskatoon Serviceberry trees can be domesticaed/cultivated? I'm thinking of transplanting some of them closer to the house, don't know if it would work or not. Any suggestions?
The below images are of Red Baneberry, every part of which is toxic to a
more or lesser degree. Rare that anyone is poisoned by it though, as
the berries are extremely bitter. The resin from the leaves though, will
cause skin irritation and rashes.
There's a piece of the property that is heavy with old growth Birch,
shaded with more than a couple creeks. Beaver ponds and runs to the east
of it, pine barrens to the west. Open maples and aspens to the north.
This is where I find most of my chaga, and today was no exception.
Today's haul was around seven and a half pounds and should take care of
the folks who are currently waiting on their chaga requests.
On the way out I grabbed some wildflowers for the wife, and a couple
weeks supply of staghorn sumac for some of my favorite Bush Tea.
All in, not a bad couple hours.
For those waiting on chaga it ships on Friday, I hope it serves you well.
Trips to the Boundary Waters Wilderness area are always an adventure, this year was no exception. Initially planned as a whole family affair some last minute changes saw my wife and youngest boy staying home. At just shy of eighteen months and my wife not feeling top shelf it was decided to roll with my four other children, a good family friend, and Ace the new family dog.
Also something of a times they are a'changing moment, my eldest daughter will turn eighteen this winter and will likely fly the coup soon after. Time passes us by unnoticed for the most part, then it squeezes our hearts with the sudden realization of just how much has passed. I remember taking her canoeing when she was an infant, and now she's about to set forth on her own journey, her life her own.
The weather reports were favorable, for the most part. I knew going in that rain and thunderstorms were possible, I've weathered storms in the BWCAW before, my kids are robust and our shelters have proven up to the task in the past.
I've found the beauty of the Boundary Waters to always exceed the best descriptions, no matter the talent of the wordsmith, mere words cannot do it justice.
As is a tradition for us, food is always big part of our trips. Paddling and portaging is a lot of work, appetites grow large, much anticipation around the fire grates in the late afternoon. First meal of the trip, venison and rice with beef and beans. No matter how much you cook, it never seems to be enough!
Ace is still adapting to his new North Woods home, having come from Georgia by way of a group of volunteers all the way up here. It's clear to me he was primarily a house dog and not much accustomed to the wilder places. At first he was reluctant to drink from the lakes, I actually had to put water in a pot. Pretty strange, but by the end of the trip he was doing just fine. Watching him read the wind with his nose was interesting, you could tell he was smelling things he'd never smelled before.
Day two dawned with a breakfast of mankilla bacon, eggs, and more venison. Got to put the fuel in the tank for the day of paddling in front of us. Heading out on the lake on an empty stomach is to be avoided at all cost, wind and wave can strip energy away quickly, an empty tank is a bad thing.
So with the boys to my old aluminum battle scarred canoe, and I with the girls we set out. We had little to no luck fishing and just took in the sights for the most part.
Some time stretching their legs on the rocks.
Later in the afternoon the skies were turning ominous, heavy, and threatening. We started the paddle back to camp and returned with enough time to take shelter before the skies opened up with a violent thunderstorm.
Here's a short under three minute video of what this storm sounded and looked like. This was the first of four storms that pounded on us during our travels.
While laying up in my hammock during the storm I had nothing better to do than snap some additional pictures.
As the storm cleared out we were treated to some really great horizons.
After the storm we still had a few hours till sundown so we set out and paddled up the lake a bit to see what was around the next bend and to wet a few lines in the hopes of a Northern or a Walleye for dinner. It wasn't long before the clouds turned angry again.
Back to camp before the downpour started, it passed like the first and did little to damage our spirits or our camp. After dinner I managed to get a few more pictures.
We were treated to a very nice sunset!
Ace looks on as I prepare breakfast on our final morning.
Another trip to the Boundary Waters coming to an end, that special place that is truly a boundary between our mundane day to day and an almost ethereal place of wilderness, mystery, surprises, and wonder. While I plan to return in late September this trip was extra special, I missed my wife and youngest son but it was great to spend time out in the back of beyond with my other children, and mark the final year before eighteen for my eldest.
