See the sign but where's the forest? It's actually behind the camera but this view is not to be missed either.So why a trip to a forest? Well, it's been a bit rainy and a bit chilly which are actually pretty good conditions for collecting edible fall mushrooms. So I called Sally, my friend who's an expert (although she would deny it) on the subject, and we went on a foray to the state forest. Actually the forest is just one hill over from where I live but there's this little problem of some VERY curious beef cows who live in the pasture in between so, rather than walking, we drove.
The road through the forest is beautiful anytime of year but it's particularly beautiful in the winter with snow and makes a great cross country ski trail. The cows have gone to the barn by then (or perhaps to the market or your dinner plate) so if you are game for a fairly exciting downhill run (and a fairly strenuous uphill climb on the way back), you can ski from our house over there.
But... back to mushrooming. We found LOTS and LOTS of different kinds. It is amazing how one can walk along and not see any. But if you stop and really take the time to look hard you can usually spot some.
By now you're probably imagining all the wonderful mushrooms we're having for supper. Well, the sad news was that none of those we found in the forest were edible. However, all was not not lost as we stopped by Craine Lake where we knew there should be shaggy manes growing.
The picture is our total harvest which Sally was generous enough to let me have. The little white thing next to my reading glasses is the mushroom in case you didn't spot it. Now to figure out how to share with John....
