Aurora in Healy, March 2023

Me & C

Roaming: Shenandoah River to the Alaska Range

Labrador Tea, Day 3 in Healy

I didn’t think foraging would start for awhile. But while shoveling snow to widen a path to the outhouse, I found some Labrador Tea! My Alaska edibles books are arriving Friday with our household goods. But I am confident in identifying this particular plant.

Snow flattened Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum, I believe, though there are 3 similar that are all edible and have the same common name)

I also saw 2 adorable Gray Jays today. They look a bit like giant, fluffy gray chickadees. C tells me he has seen them be brazen, even taking food right out of someone’s hand at fire camp.

Finally, does anyone know of if this is a dog sled track?