you find some, you ramp some
I had one goal on Mother's Day weekend and that was to go foraging for ramps. While finding is relatively easy (once you know to look for them and where), it the acquisition of these ramps that I always struggle with each year and it is because of one reason and one reason only - wood ticks. But this year I only found two on me, three on the Lotus Bud and a few more on Dave with a total tick count of 10. That's my limit, the edge of tick season for me.
On the other hand, I found lots and lots of ramps!
(132)
I grabbed my camera, a bag for the ramps, my buck knife and my family. We headed out on a walk to the end of the road where it Ts off to the left and the right along the river. Ramps grown in abundance in the wooded area up above the river but they don't travel far. I haven't found any on our four acres but there are several gloriously emerald green patches nearby.
While the girl and her Daddy kicked the soccer ball, I looked up and spotted an eagle. An auspicious start to our walk, dontcha think?
And then I looked down and saw such wonderfully delightful wildflowers everywhere. They were in all sort of cool pastels - blue, purple, pink, white. Such a welcome surprise after such a long winter. I think I'm still in a little bit of shock that Spring is finally here.
Ramps are for me a true sign of Spring. These seemed a little on the small side but I'm sure that by next weekend, they will be much larger. After reaching my edge on the tick count, I know that we won't be back for a few more weeks.
While the family headed back, I lingered further into the woods until I could no longer hear their voices. I only meant to dig up a few more, but the flowers and fungi drew me further in. These are wild geraniums and like I mentioned, they come in all sorts of colors. The leaves are what should have tipped me off but I didn't put it together until after I came back to the city internet.
I thought these were ladyslippers but they are actually trout lilies. Such a shy little delicate flower.
And fungi blooming all over, they often remind of things found by the sea.
The voices were long gone before I decided to head back. I contemplated walking the steep slope down to the river but the threat of wood ticks had me heading back to the road. I've found a path though and I know that in June we will head down to the river with our fishing poles.
To say it was an exquisite day is not a exaggeration by any means. The weather was perfect, the woods bright with a glorious abundance of ramps and wildflowers, the river was sparkling blue.
This is the manifestation of my attitude of gratitude. In years past we have driven by these places, quickly jumping out to dig up some ramps. This year we walked and savored the experience.
On the other hand, I found lots and lots of ramps!
(132)
I grabbed my camera, a bag for the ramps, my buck knife and my family. We headed out on a walk to the end of the road where it Ts off to the left and the right along the river. Ramps grown in abundance in the wooded area up above the river but they don't travel far. I haven't found any on our four acres but there are several gloriously emerald green patches nearby.
While the girl and her Daddy kicked the soccer ball, I looked up and spotted an eagle. An auspicious start to our walk, dontcha think?
And then I looked down and saw such wonderfully delightful wildflowers everywhere. They were in all sort of cool pastels - blue, purple, pink, white. Such a welcome surprise after such a long winter. I think I'm still in a little bit of shock that Spring is finally here.
Ramps are for me a true sign of Spring. These seemed a little on the small side but I'm sure that by next weekend, they will be much larger. After reaching my edge on the tick count, I know that we won't be back for a few more weeks.
While the family headed back, I lingered further into the woods until I could no longer hear their voices. I only meant to dig up a few more, but the flowers and fungi drew me further in. These are wild geraniums and like I mentioned, they come in all sorts of colors. The leaves are what should have tipped me off but I didn't put it together until after I came back to the city internet.
I thought these were ladyslippers but they are actually trout lilies. Such a shy little delicate flower.
And fungi blooming all over, they often remind of things found by the sea.
The voices were long gone before I decided to head back. I contemplated walking the steep slope down to the river but the threat of wood ticks had me heading back to the road. I've found a path though and I know that in June we will head down to the river with our fishing poles.
To say it was an exquisite day is not a exaggeration by any means. The weather was perfect, the woods bright with a glorious abundance of ramps and wildflowers, the river was sparkling blue.
This is the manifestation of my attitude of gratitude. In years past we have driven by these places, quickly jumping out to dig up some ramps. This year we walked and savored the experience.
I love the photos and the beautiful simplicity of the activity. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deonne! I hadn't thought about the simplicity of the activity so that was a very welcome comment. I suppose that is what made the day so exquisite - a simple goal with loads of joy.
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