Trail-tested, pickle-approved
Life around Draper keeps me grounded: family dinners, trail miles, and homemade pickles that taste like resilience. Come for the stories, stay for the brine.
Homemade brine, mountain air, and a healthy dose of humor.
Based in Draper • Trails & family first
About my life
I’ve lived around the Draper area for most of my adult life, and the trails here have been my steady compass — a place to think, breathe, and feel grounded. I’m a little crazy in a charming way, quick with a joke, and fully convinced that good hikes and good pickles solve more problems than they cause.
I live with MS and only have one good eye, which means I’ve learned to lean on grit, gratitude, and a stubborn sense of humor. It hasn’t slowed me down much; it’s just taught me to notice the small wins and celebrate the people who make life joyful.
The best part of my story is my wonderful wife and family — they’re the reason my days feel full, my heart stays soft, and my spirit keeps showing up ready for whatever comes next.
PICKLE PASSION
I make pickles the way I live — with a little patience, a lot of curiosity, and a wink toward joy. It’s my favorite kind of care package: something healthy, thoughtful, and just quirky enough to make people laugh. Around Draper, there’s nothing like a crisp jar of goodness after a long walk or a family visit.
The recipe is simple on purpose. It keeps the flavor honest, the crunch bright, and the heart of it all very personal. Every batch is my way of saying “I’m here, I’m okay, and I hope this makes your day better.”
Simple, classic, and a little bit magical.
If you ever need a jar, a laugh, or a trail story to go with it, I’ve got you covered.
Pickle basics
A short tour of where pickles came from, how the brine works, and what makes a crunchy, balanced batch. All curiosity, no jargon overload.
Pickling shows up in many cultures as a clever way to preserve harvests. Traders and travelers carried jars of salted vegetables across regions long before fridges existed.
Acid and salt shift the environment so friendly microbes can do their slow, flavorful work. That’s the secret to tang and crunch.
Small details matter. Clean jars, fresh cucumbers, and patience create a reliable batch every time.
Historically, pickles were valued for shelf life and flavor, and some people enjoy them as part of a balanced diet. Always check what works for you.
Family records
I’m gathering our family stories, documents, and records so they don’t get lost in the shoebox of time (you know the one). The goal is simple: preserve what we know, share it with the people who matter, and keep the threads of our family connected across generations.
If you’ve got names, dates, photos, or “remember when…” moments, I’d love to fold them into the story. Whether it’s a birth certificate, a handwritten recipe, or a tale about Aunt Ruth’s legendary laugh, it all helps us see the bigger picture.
Think of this as a living record: part history book, part family reunion, and a little bit detective work. If you want to be involved, I’ve got a spot at the table and a fresh pen waiting.
Old letters, scanned photos, trail maps with notes in the margins — they’re all part of the story. I’m digitizing what I can and sharing it with family so everyone can add their chapter.
Draper trails
The Draper trails are my reset button — equal parts therapy, cardio, and wide‑angle life lesson. With one good eye and a tendency to over‑explain bird calls, I still manage to find my footing, slow my thoughts, and remember what matters.
These paths keep me grounded when MS makes things wobbly, and they keep me growing when I’d rather stay on the couch and debate pickle brine ratios. The mountains don’t care about my excuses, but they do reward my stubbornness.
Ethics & care
This is my official personal statement of ethics, morals, and best practices. These principles guide how I tell family stories, share genealogy, and make pickles with health in mind. I aim to do right by people — with honesty, dignity, kindness, and care.At the heart of The Steele Pickle is a simple foundation: love, peace, and happiness. Everything I create, share, and put out into the world is driven by a desire to strengthen bonds and build meaningful connections.The Steele Pickle is not a retail operation; it is a community endeavor.Whether I am sharing a jar of pickles, creating content, or engaging with a partner, every interaction must be a win-win-win scenario.While my pickles are never for sale, I occasionally collaborate with brands or review products on my platform.To keep the peace and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding my content and reviews:
To ensure that every interaction reflects those values, I operate under a strict "Me, You, and Everyone" logic. If it doesn't benefit all of us, it isn't for us.
The Gifting Philosophy: The Currency of Goodwill
Freely Given: I will only ever give my pickles away. I will never charge a dime for them.
Reciprocal Abundance: My business model relies entirely on goodwill. I believe that by putting genuine effort, time, and love into what I make and giving it away freely, I will get everything back—and then some.
Building Bonds: A jar of pickles is simply a vehicle for connection. The true goal is to share something crafted with care to foster relationships and put positive energy into the world.
For Me: It must align with my personal code, facilitate my creativity, and bring joy to the process without compromising my boundaries.
For You (The Partner/Recipient): It must offer genuine value, exceptional quality, and absolute transparency.
For Everyone (The Community): It must foster a positive environment, reflect diversity and inclusion, and contribute good energy to the wider world.
Intentional Connections: I cherish the connections I make. Any brand or individual I partner with must share this commitment to community and exceptional support.
Authentic Advocacy: I will only promote or collaborate with brands whose products or services I genuinely use and respect.
Absolute Transparency: I will always clearly and distinctly disclose any sponsored content, gifted items, or partnerships. If it isn't explicitly stated as sponsored, it's simply something I love and want to share.
Shared Values over Transactions: A sponsor must encourage and elevate my actions rather than regulate them. The Steele Pickle is not an extension of anyone else's marketing department.
Originality & Objectivity: All of my work, thoughts, and reviews are completely my own. I strive for absolute, objective honesty in everything I share.
No Pre-Approvals: I do not send content previews to outside entities for evaluation or editing. There are zero exceptions.
Creative Autonomy: My calendar and my creative process are entirely under my control. No outside entity may exert influence over my scheduling precedence, and I do not participate in releases under embargo.
No Tit-for-Tat: Receiving an item or product for free never guarantees a favorable review, nor does it guarantee that a review will be made at all. I never produce content solely in exchange for free goods.
Fact-Checking: To ensure my content is as beneficial as possible, I will actively verify anything I do not fully grasp before sharing it with the community.
Final Say: I am the sole decision-maker regarding what content goes up on my platforms.
Sharing the Love: I am thrilled when people share my work, provided the post includes a direct link to the original upload. Third parties may not host my content on additional sites without explicit permission.
Organic Growth: I make no promises regarding the number of views or "viral" metrics. There are too many uncontrollable factors, and my focus is on authentic connection, not algorithmic manipulation. I do, however, promise at least one view: my own.
Ultimately, my goal is to continue enjoying life, making great things, and sharing that joy with others. Without these boundaries, the "Me, You, and Everyone" logic falls apart, and the enjoyment ends. Thank you for respecting the honesty of my work and the relationships we are building together.
Keep Pedaling 🙏🏻
Berta
I am committed to honesty without cruelty, speaking plainly while protecting dignity and hearts.
I share what uplifts, ask permission when needed, and honor the people behind every tale.
Records are handled with respect — private when they should be, shared when they help us connect.
I follow safe brining practices, keep ingredients clean, and choose wellness over hype in every batch.
Contact
If you’re family, a friend, or a fellow Draper trail wanderer, I’d love to hear from you. Share a memory, send a genealogy clue, swap a trail laugh, or ask a pickle question — I’m all ears (and one good eye).
Friendly note
This form goes straight to my inbox. I read every message, even if it takes a day or two to respond between trail walks and brine batches.
Say hello
Use this space to share a quick hello or a longer note.
Not sure what to say? A simple “hi” is perfect.
Keep Pedaling 🚫🧹 Berta
