berries and BNSF

what do you do when you just aren't sure what to do, or don't want to face what you need to face, at least not yet. a way to pass time when you still want to revel in those quiet peaceful moments that allow you to suspend the reality of days ahead?

go berry picking.

requirements for sweet success:
buckets, a yellow dog, boys and a van. oh and a secret train viewing spot for the little train lover is a bonus!

1) buckets - must be the proper size and depth, too big, will get too heavy, especially if you have it tied to your belt. too deep, the berries will mush. we found these to be the perfect vessels. once full we emptied very gingerly into our cooler (that our sweet dog katie mae was "guarding").

2) a dog - many are not as lucky as we to have a dog like katie mae. she came to this world with the sweetest temperament and appears to be going out in the same manner. she lays patiently alongside the trail. without a word she is able to draw in each passerby (and there were many) to stop and give her some love (some even took photos with her) and then marvel and comment at our dedication to filling our buckets while the little boy rambles on about the size and perfection of the berries he's finding.

3) boys - both were needed in our case. the big one brought a machete and gloves, both proving to be useful when getting way deep into the untouched berry branches, and for moving the many of the nettles out of our way. the little one had an incredible eye for spotting berries that were hidden under the leaves. and the cheery mood he carried the entire time was infectious! 

4) a van - life is just better in a westy. need i really say more?

of course i have no snaps of the action, it's tough to shoot photos and make your way through nettles and the thorny brush of the blackberry thicket to get to that little sweet and tart berry. you'll just have to take my word for it. sun was streaming through the trees, we were the only pickers and it was a few hours of bliss.

here's a glimpse into how we transformed that bliss to carry us through the night...and on into our morning.