Day 161: I had occasion to be down in Flatland today and discovered that Spring hasn't simply arrived, it's abounding. Daffodils, flowering plum and cherry, grape hyacinths, vinca minor and crocuses brightened yards and along the Puyallup River trail, the Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) were starting to open their crepe-like petals. In June, these shrubs will put on a crop of watery orange or red berries which in combination with a sprinkling of dry lemon Jell-o and a topping of sweetened biscuit dough make a delicious campsite cobbler. This dessert can also be made in a conventional oven. In my opinion, the orange variety surpasses the red in flavour, although it tends to have a higher moisture content and should be picked with more care not to crush the fruit.
