Discover the Magic of the Mountain West's Most Elusive Berry
Unlock the secrets of the huckleberry—the wild, tangy treasure that outshines its blueberry cousin with every bite. The Huckleberry Book is your ultimate guide to the lore, science, and delights of this iconic mountain fruit, packed with everything from botany and bears to mountain stories and mouthwatering recipes.
- Comprehensive insights into the different types of huckleberries and where (and how) to find them
- Expert tips on picking, preserving, and respecting the berry patch—especially where bears roam
- Rich mountain lore and charming anecdotes that celebrate the berry's mysterious allure
- A collection of delicious, tried-and-true recipes from the mountain West, perfect for every huckleberry lover
- Beautifully illustrated to capture the spirit and joy of berry hunting in the wild
- Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, food lovers, and anyone captivated by the rich traditions and natural wonders of the mountain West
For those who cherish the wild mountain experience, this book blends knowledge, humor, and tradition into one unforgettable celebration of the huckleberry.
'Asta Bowen is a Montana author and educator. Her published works include The Huckleberry Book (Farcountry Press) and Wolf: The Journey Home (Bloomsbury Press), along with a regular op-ed column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (1988–2001). She retired from teaching English at Flathead High School in Montana and lives in a converted tannery near Flathead Lake.
Karen Leigh, a fourth generation Montanan, has lived in the Flathead Valley near Glacier National Park since the early 1970's. She is an honors graduate of Montana State University with a degree in graphic design. For many years, however, her primary interest has been transparent watercolor, and she has studied under some of the finest masters of the medium, including Irving Shapiro, Skip Lawrence, Joseph Zbukvic, and Carla O'Connor. Always on the lookout for 'accidental magnificence,' she is particularly interested in finding beauty in unexpected places. Junk yards and rusty machinery offer many exciting possibilities, but figures and urban landscapes have recently become important subjects as well.
She is a long-standing faculty member at Flathead Valley Community College and also teaches occasional workshops here and abroad. For ten years, in collaboration with calligrapher Gini Ogle, she designed and published a line of prints, posters, calendars, and note cards marketed under the name of Echo Designs. For three years running, they were winners in the U.S. Postal Museum's international competition, "The Graceful Envelope."
Karen's work can be found in many private and public collections, including the Beringer Wineries, ConAgra Industries, the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and the Smithsonian Institution. She has also been featured in a number of arts magazines, including the 2003 yearbook issue of Watercolor Magic, the fall 2004 issue of Watercolor magazine, and a recent special edition of Portfolio. In 2007, she was selected to design an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree, and she and other contributing artists were honored at a reception hosted by First Lady Laura Bush in the White House. Most recently, Karen was accepted into the Northwest Watercolor Society's 79th Annual International Competition, one of only 60 selected artists. A full-time painter and signature member of the Montana Watercolor Society, she maintains a sunny studio in the newly renovated Eastside Brick, formerly the local hospital constructed in 1911.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling... with sketchbook in hand, of course... skiing, hiking, and always looking out for 'accidental magnificence!'
