hiking – Windtree Bee

This Saturday, June 3^rd, we’re bringing an observation hive to the market.

What’s an observation hive?

It’s a specially made hive box that allows a queen and her attendant bees to be transported safely to an event, so that people can see what the bees look like up close. Everyone (especially kids) have a great time looking for the queen. The observation hive is sealed, so air can get in but bees can’t get out. There are two clear panels on either side of the top that give observers a chance to see what’s going on in the hive.

If observation hives are so neat, why don’t you bring one every week?

Moving a queen and her attendants from their regular hive box (the Langstroth box where they live year round) into a temporary observation hive is stressful to both the queen and the hive. In the past, we occasionally did it, because bringing live bees to an event always leads to some great interactions and discussions. But, because it was stressful for our bees, it was also stressful for us. Good news though! One of our beekeeper friends recently caught a swarm and loaned it to us for this summer. It’ll live in the observation hive until early fall and then we’ll return it, so that it can overwinter at our friend’s house in a winterized Langstroth box.

We’re excited to have an extra queen and hive just for observation purposes! Since this queen is going to be a celebrity, I’m naming her Scarlett after Scarlett Johansen, who dabbled in beekeeping. (This was a quick pick name – want something different? Stop by our table and you can suggest a different one!)

What else are we bringing to the market?

Honey! We have about two dozen jars left and then we’ll be out until we harvest again at the end of the summer.

Honey-sweetened strawberry jam: I’m excited about this batch because it was made with strawberries we grew and honey we harvested – neat, right? Because my strawberry patch is small, I supplemented it with some of Krista’s awesome berries. Foggy Bottom Berry Farm grows different varieties than we do, so the mix is delicious!

I also have a few jars left of my Spring Honey Rhubarb Jam and Chai Tea Blends (both caffeinated Assam and decaf Rooibos).

It’s biking season!

Since there was no market last weekend, Craig and I took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit Beekeeper Rebecca (Rebecca, a.k.a. Boudica II’s namesake). On Saturday, we hiked in McConnells Mill State Park. We toured the mill and then walked down to Eckert Bridge and back. It was a pretty hike and relatively easy. There are some other intriguing places like Hells Hollow and Breakneck Falls that we might explore next time.

On Sunday, we biked the ‘Burgh’s streets, bridges, and one tunnel during the city’s Open Streets.

If you’ve never been to Pittsburgh, you need to visit! It’s beautiful, has great food, Point State Park at Three Rivers, inclines, and tons of bridges and tunnels. A very fun weekend getaway / road trip destination!

That’s it for this week! I wish you happy hiking, biking, gardening, beekeeping, or whatever else you do that makes you happy. Craig, new Queen Scarlett, and I hope to see you this Saturday!

Hereford Farm Market at Hereford High School, 17301 York Road, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Saturday, June 3, 2023. Lots of parking! Easy to get to! Easy to walk around! Look for us at the “Hats & Honey” table.

One of our honeybees on our garden’s clover

Craig and I visited Scotland last month. We flew into Edinburgh, spent a couple of days there, and then took the train up into the highlands. They were magnificent! I really hope we can go back again someday.

Lots of people asked us, “Why Scotland?” We were asked if we had family there (no), if we planned on golfing (no), if we liked whisky (no), and if we planned on doing any Outlander tours (no). Friends pointed out that the weather there is often gloomy and rainy. The time of year we chose for our trip was also curious (fall, not summer). But I gotta say… it was AMAZING!! I feel so lucky to have been able to go. Part of the trip was a generous gift from my in-laws for our 25^th anniversary. And I can think of no better way for Craig and me to celebrate than to go trekking about in Alba. It’s a country that epitomizes our favorite vacation style – rugged days and cozy nights. If you are debating a trip to the U.K. anytime soon, I highly recommend!

Hillwalking

Hiking in the U.K. is often referred to as hillwalking. Although Scotland’s tallest mountain isn’t as tall as the shortest mountain in the Appalachians, hillwalking can still be risky, especially in bad weather. But we had great weather!! The days we spent hiking were sunny. And the shorter days meant that we reached the summit and/or lochs right at sunset.

The highland culture seems to fully embrace hillwalking. The Scots have a statutory “right to roam” (although it must be exercised responsibly) and the inn where we stayed regularly makes bagged lunches for guests to tuck into their daypacks. We grabbed ours, walked out the door, and just started walking. Not having to worry about driving to a trailhead felt gloriously liberating.

Reindeer

The Cairngorm Mountains have a herd of free-ranging reindeer. After one of our walks, we serendipitously stumbled into their Glenmore visitor center, a little paddock up by Loch Morlich. The enclosed area is kind of like a reindeer spa. The reindeer take turns coming down from the mountains for health evals and a bit of pampering.

If your child asks what to leave for the reindeer on Christmas Eve…

They don’t eat carrots or celery. Too bad since those things are easier to get than what they do eat: heather, sedges, lichens, blaeberry, and birch. Maybe offer them some regular ole blueberries and see if they’re gone on Christmas morning. 😉

Drambuie

We tried lots of whisky, but I preferred Scotland’s craft beers. I also enjoyed Drambuie, which you can get here in the States. Drambuie is whisky blended with honey, herbs, and spices. Since I know where to get delicious, local honey, I may experiment with making a DIY version of Drambuie this winter.

Is Drambuie French or Scottish?

Ah… it’s complicated. I asked a couple people this question and the answer depends on how you interpret its origin story, which may just be a bit of fanciful brand marketing. In any case, the story goes that, after the Battle of Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to the isle of Skye. As a thank you for sheltering him, he gave his prized French elixir recipe to an officer there. Its name is supposedly derived from the Scots Gaelic An Dram Buidheach, which means “the drink that satisfies.” Indeed, it does! 😀

Christmas Bazaar

We’re doing one more event this year – a Christmas Bazaar down at the Federal Armored Museum this Sunday, December 4th, from 1-3 pm. Santa will be there! Admission is free. Bring the kids, get a pic with Santa, and do some Christmas shopping. This will be the last time you can stock up on honey and homemade jam before winter! I have a couple of bee & honeycomb suncatchers left. They make excellent, one-of-a-kind gifts. Our honey & jam is the perfect hostess/thank you/holiday gift. You probably know an awesome teacher, coach, neighbor, friend, or family member who would love a jar. Or just treat yourself! 🙂

St Gobnait, Patron Saint of Bees and Beekeepers

Looking ahead to winter…

Craig and I are returning to the Hereford Farm Market next year. In the meantime, I’ll post periodic updates here. Winter is a great time for hiking, skiing, and reading!

WISHING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!!

Category: hiking

We’re bringing honeybees to the market this Saturday!