Available U-Pick:
Red Raspberries
Black Raspberries
Golden Raspberries
Blackberries
Beans
Corn

…read the handwritten sign. I was standing in front of it, staring dumbly while the girl sitting in the farm stand asked for a second time, what did I want to pick.

I don’t know about you, but in my experience, u-pick operations tend to focus on one item. Sure, maybe there’s a pumpkin patch at your apple u-pick, but this list seemed excessive to me. And problematic to boot. Less than an hour remained before closing time and I could make a strong case for many of the contenders.

Less than 24 hours previous, I had arranged for our stay at “The Extraordinary Berry” by speaking with the proprietor, Chuck. Our Harvest Hosts membership makes it possible for us to overnight at hundreds of farms, wineries and attractions across the country. The suggested protocol includes a phone call to the host a day in advance. I always look forward to these conversations—they’re very, “anything can happen day.”

Chuck confirmed that we were welcome to stay at the farm—and that they were picking raspberries. I had been looking forward to weekend morning berry pancakes ever since that call, so decided to stick with the original plan. I would pick raspberries and then, if time allowed, move on to one of the other tempting options.

At some point during my lengthy decision process and subsequent reverie, the counter gal must have notified Chuck of our arrival, because the next thing I knew he was welcoming us in person. Our brief conversation covered the basics (Where are you coming from? Where are you headed? How long are you planning to stay?) as well as crop talk, local insights and canine introductions—ending with a suggestion that our dog, Charlie, head indoors before the wife showed up at 10 a.m. the next morning with her 2 Jack Russells.

With those details taken care of, Chuck set me up with a rustic wood and metal berry tote, which he declared, “the best of the bunch,” before walking us up to the rows that he guessed would be ripe and ready for picking.

At this point I have to admit that I don’t think I have ever had a real black raspberry. I am searching my memory for a recollection and all I can come up with is black raspberry Kool-aid or possibly Jell-o. I may not have known that “black raspberry” was a real fruit! This admission fills me with equal parts shame and amazement, but I am happy to report that this potential gap in my life experiences has now been stuffed full of black raspberry pancakes.

While delivering a plate of previously-promised pancakes to our host, he introduced us to his wife, Coco—owner of the anti-social terriers. She mentioned that she had always wanted to travel around the country in a motorhome, but Chuck preferred to stay on the farm. They had, however, recently struck a deal, Coco informed us. Each was backing a different presidential candidate. If her's won, they were headed for Alaska.

Eat: Pick or purchase fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables at The Extraordinary Berry in Benton Harbor, near the Paw Paw River. U-pick one-stop shopping! EDIT: Chuck finally retired and The Extraordinary Berry is closed.

Play: "In taking an inventory of life, we all take stock of the circumstances surrounding the happiest moments,” said J.N. Klock at the dedication of the park named for his daughter. Jean Klock Park is one of the oldest public parks in the state of Michigan. Its dunes and wetlands were intended as a gift to the people of Benton Harbor, and specifically its children. In recent years, attempts to develop portions of the parcel, protected for nearly a century by deed restrictions put in place by Klock, have resulted in litigation and controversy. The park, however, remains an underused gem on the Lake Michigan shoreline.