Don -- I'm not good at making a plant ID from a drawing or a photo. But I
believe it's blackberry.
I saw James' distinguishing between blackberry and dewberry. People used to
tell me that dewberry was shorter and matured a few weeks earlier. Our
berries, whichever they are, are not as mature as the one you picture. I
haven't read your journal -- is your son's place located in one of the
hollers? If it is protected, that may explain the early growth.
Lynn