Comments on: This Bud’s for You! (Warning – This Post Has Zero Political Content)

By: futurexpat?

futurexpat? — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:13:52 +0000

As you go on more walks, maybe you could share photos of fireweed as the season goes on. We were fascinated by them each time we’ve been up there. Our last trip was in August-September, so we got to see them nearly done for the year.

By: jojobo1

jojobo1 — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:31:12 +0000

Meant thanks for the walk in and thru nature

By: jojobo1

jojobo1 — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:19:34 +0000

Tank you AKM while you had 70 degrees we had 45 degrees and rain and I am in the lower 48 midwest.Kind of off topic but our democratic Governor is working with the state next to us who is a republican to help the people in both states as best they can.It shows some can work together for the betterment of all

By: ChiCat

ChiCat — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:24:59 +0000

Awesome photo essay! Thank you

By: GlobalVillage

GlobalVillage — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:53:42 +0000

Can’t believe it – just reread – should be “piece” not “peace” – too early in the morning here. Head not working yet.

By: barbara

barbara — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:51:22 +0000

great post. when i think of alaska all i think of is snow. you opened my mind.

By: GlobalVillage

GlobalVillage — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:41:24 +0000

Am really enjoying learning about spring in the far northern hemisphere. What a beautiful peace of heaven you all inhabit.

We are in the middle of autumn here and I am looking forward to winter.

I love that dog word “buf”. I always think dogs that use “buf” are particularly special creatures.

Thank you AKM for sharing your bushwalk with us.

By: MichiganderBerta

MichiganderBerta — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:38:28 +0000

The photos and descriptions were wonderful – thanks!

By: chascates

chascates — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:03:58 +0000

I’ve always heard that with the spring comes the blackflies and mosquitoes. Is it really that big of a problem?

By: Moose Pucky

Moose Pucky — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:35:59 +0000

This is how I harvest and prepare Devil’s Club for medicinal tea. It’s a member of the Ginseng family.

Take some spring shoots (stems) about 1″ around. Scrape off stickers with a pocket knife. The inside of the bark has the medicine so one can cut and peel off the bark and then cut the bark into small strips about 1/2 inch by four inches or so. Three or four good stalks will make a supply that will last you for awhile.

Lay out the cut up strips in the sun to dry. Package up the dried pieces into a Ziploc or other container and refrigerate.

When feeling a need for a medicinal tea, put a handful of dried bark into a cup of your favorite herbal tea and microwave an extra minute or so more than usual or seep in boiling water. It has a soothing medicinal taste and works pretty good also.

Other folks have learned other ways. Some harvest the roots. Some nibble on the buds in spring–but I find the buds way too strong for my own preferences.