• Friday-What'sUP August 11 - 08:42 am

Buddy and I took a little hike down by the dunes and I see that that the thimbleberry crop is at its peak. I had a handful about the size of this bunch photographed by Nancy Nelson back in '01. Sweet.

A good morning to all Pasty Central visitors, whether you're new to this daily site or been browsing for years. If you follow the What'sUP pages you know that Mary Drew is away for a time of goodbyes to her Mom. A note from Lizidaho yesterday mentioned that her Mom passed away, though I've not had a chance to speak with Mary myself. Thanks for all the comforting words from Pasty Cam regulars

Boy do they look good enough to eat. When we were there last week, there were still plenty of these between Phoenix and Jacob's Falls.

Mmmm...those look tasty! I'll have to settle for some jam.

I like the birch in the background, great picture.

I'm with Brooke, this is a nice picture for lay out and I'll bet somebody had a nice treat once the picture was taken.

wahooooooooooooo !! just getting ready for four more days in Munising area and I know a thimbleberry patch pretty close to our campsite. Oatmeal with thimbleberries and 3 cups of Finn coffee -- on the shores of the big lake, doesnt get much better.

I've been out doing some plant health monitoring, and one of the species that I've been looking at has been blackberry.

In order to not be distracted by the shiny fruits, I've been clearing the berries out of my way before examining the leaves. Yum!

Of course, I've been keeping an eye out for raspberries as well - because you "can't" tell the difference until you're close enough to eat the berries. ;)

Nice shot! It brings back great memories of Augusts long ago when I would pick them and help my Grandma make jam. They are still a nice change from raspberries every now and then!

Those look like berries that Mr.Ron would make some great jam out of.

Picked some of those last weekend near "Big Betsy"...the blueberries were dry, but the thimbleberries were perfect:) Nothing better than homeade thimbleberry jam...

If anything says "Keweenau" it has to be thimble berries and birch trees! I'd love to have some of that tasty jam on my morning toast to go along with my coffee.

Yummm...any homemade jam on piece of homemade bread would taste good to me about now. One of my favorites has always been strawberry freezer jam. Can you make that with thimbleberries? I'm thinking freezer jam made with strawberries and rhubarb would be awesome, wouldn't it? Makes my mouth water to think about it. Mmmmmm....

Dear Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I am about to go downstairs and hug my 90+ yr old Mom, and thank God she is still with us. May your mother find her heart's fulfillment in Heaven.

My favorite jelly is the pear cinnamon from the Jampot!

Thimbleberries! One of the many things I sorely miss about the Keweenaw! I've only seem them growing in a few other places - northern Idaho,plus a few isolated plants in VT & NH (with pinkish flowers), but never in quantity you could make jam from. Does anyone have info on their range & growing conditions & why they are not offered in nursery stock like raspberries, blueberrie, etc.?
Susan Yeager, Groton, MA

Mary, I was so sorry to learn of your Mother's passing. She is now resting in peace with Our Savior. My love and prayers go out to you and the family. Fran

Susan - I'm not sure about actual range for thimbleberries, but I did see a good number of them growing along the (I think) Grizzly Creek Trail near Glenwood Springs in Colorado. It's probably got something to do with soil type (well drained, sandy to rocky seems typical), as well as moisture availability and average temperature. It's always exciting to see them growing outside the Keweenaw. :)

Check this site for thimbleberry details:

http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/shrubs/rubuspar.html

Have thimbleberries on Or. Coast near Coos Bay.
My brother has his favorite picking area outside Portland, even making jam!

susan lynn, i once looked for info on thimbleberries. it seems to be a northern berry
like huckleberries. i believe it needs special
environmental requirements -- like a lot of space
as the large plants produce very few berries.
also, the plants naturally grow in marginally
forested areas -- not open fields. the plants
can be found in the up, possibly the very nothern
lp, the northern new england, and also mountainous
areas of california, oregon, washington -- up to
canada.

probably no effective way to cultivate
commercially.

but thimbleberry jam could be the best jam ever.

I am flying into Hancock tomorrow from Nashville and plan to get some rasberry jam at the Jampot and pancakes with blueberries or strawberries on them Sunday morning at the Harbor Haus.

The Copper Country is a great place to find fresh fruit. And fish. And fresh air. And great pasties with people who know how to pronounce the word. And clean water...and cool breezes in this boiling hot August. Can't wait.

Mary Drew.........

Our prayers and thoughts are with you through the hardest time of your life.

mary sorry to hear about your mother gods blessings to her

Mary Drew.
may you find strength in knowing so many people are thinking of you at this difficult time.
I'm so sorry.

AH! Love those Thimble berries! Haven't had any in years. Got to get UP there and get some! Bet Dave H. misses them too! My Stan Tekiela Wildflower book lists the range all over the state! The blossom is actually a Rose! The plant is in the Rose (Roseaceae) family. Over the years we've tried to transplant them from my uncles property (Dollar Bay)to down here in various places, St. Clair, Macomb countys. They never make it. Yes why don't nurserys sell the stock?
I'm thinking if there ever is, was, or could be a place for them down here it would the Port Huron State Game Area. The whole area is a freaky geological island of northern MI soil type, rocks, hills, ravines, habitat, terrain, flora & fauna not found anywhere else but the UP or parts of the NLP. I bet Capt. Paul knows about this area! (?)
Hmmm maybe we should take a ride up there next day or 2 (only 20 miles from here) and see if we just might find Thimble berries! Wouldn't that be something?
The Raspberry & Blackberry crop down this way pretty much failed this year from drought conditions :(