I relish in these cruise alongs because my boys still hold the wonder of all that they don't yet know and mom is still seen as the uber wise sage that knows all the answers. (boy do I still have them fooled). We ride on trails we have made both on our own property as well as a few vacant properties of just land near us that we are careful not to do damage to.
This particular evening our goal was to check the progress of the millions of blackberries that are in bloom all over both our property as well as 2-3 neighboring properties that we have permission to pick from. These are all wild berries so the importance of regular spying on their development is of the utmost importance as we have competition. The birds.
As we passed through one of our "secret" trails (a little slip I made through the pine trees) we were almost belted in the face by the bounty. I had forgotten to be on the lookout at our normal honey hole for mulberries because it is of course mulberry season for us. There they were like glittering, juicy amulets of perfection. The boys just about flew off of the 4 wheeler to begin picking and stuffing their chubby little cheeks full of the sweet goodness.
I thank God that I am able to raise these children learning about nature and enjoying all of his creations out here off the beaten path.