Sunday, August 21, 2011

Huckleberry Time

"Now many of those I loved and did not understand in my youth are dead. But I still reach out to them. Of course, now I’m too old to be much of a hiker. And now I usually go into the mountians alone, even though some friends think I shouldn’t. But when I am alone in the half-light of the canyon, all existence seems to fade to a being of my soul and memories, and the sounds of the wind in the pines and the call of distant birds. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a mountain is in it. The Mountain was left by the world’s great flood, and shelters bushes from the basement of time. On some of the bushes are timeless huckleberries. On some the berries are the words, and some of the words are theirs."
"I am haunted by huckleberries."

Pardon the River Runs Though It  musings, but as I was in Emigration Canyon as evening approached one night this past week picking huckleberries I was reminded of the now famous lines at the end of the novel by Norman MacLean  and couldn't help but reflect on the good times and the memories I had in days gone by with my parents and family picking huckleberries in the mountains.  The berries were wonderful, but the memories of those days linger much longer and I cherish the times and the stories told of picking huckleberries in the mountains.

My brother, Reed, called the other morning and said: "Let's go pick huckleberries."  My reply was: "I'll pick you up in an hour."  We went  together on Thursday and then again on Saturday.  Each time we got at least two gallons each.  That isn't bad for a couple of oldies with arthritic hands etc.  At least for me.  We enjoyed our time together and especially the chance to have some good discussions about the things that matter most in our lives.


Here we are after about eight hours on the mountain with the fruit of our labors.

8 comments:

Alison Daugs said...

You are lucky to have each other, the joy of being in nature, your time shared in discussion, your health and the sweet reward of the HUCKELBERRIES!

Rene Weston-Eborn said...

My favorite Huckleberry quote is "I'm Your Huckleberry" guess what cowboy movies it is from?

Garrett do you know?

Bart, that is a great photo of you and your brother. I like your response "I will pick you up in an hour" ...great example.

Love you!
Rene

meegz said...

Tombstone. Doc Holliday

Save some for me.

Looks like a good time.

Philip

Mr. Eborn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. Eborn said...

The way my Dad acted when he got home you would have thought he just returned from Valley Forge. He told me he had a busy day, and I convinced him it was leisure and he was not really busy...

He said to me, "That Bart is quite the guy, but I like him"

--Travis

Bart said...

But I like him. ??? I'm not sure how to take that. I like him too.

Jason said...

I love the paraphrase! Looks like you got into a good patch. I didn't think there would be many huckelberries this year.

I need to take my girls out for a huckelberry expedition.

meegz said...

Isn't it amazing what things we do because of a good experiences/memories? Philip tells me I can peaches just because my grandma did. Guess what? He's right!:) My new found love of quilting is similar. Both my grandmothers were quilters and I have fond memories of watching them and receiving quilts from them. The peaches and quilts are just the icing on the cake.:)

I love that you got to share this memory with you brother. and the extra great part is you have some yummy berries to go with!:)

Love you!