mushroom forest

Every hike this summer began with a question: will there be mushrooms? For months we never saw a one. So on the last hike of the summer the group was prepared to embark on a serious hunt. We didn't search long. In fact, we didn't search at all. The trail that was too snowy to walk just months ago was lined with beautiful fungi- big and little, poisonous and not. Now, porcini picking is on my list of fun things to do: it is really satisfying to peel the spongy part off and see the clean meaty flesh of the cap. Thank goodness for the mushroom expert on the hike who was prepared with a knife, an extra bag, and, most importantly, knew how to spot the edibles.