Fall Forays

There was a time when I loathed fall.  I'm from Alaska, and that state's incredibly short fall season lead straight into the incredibly long winter.  There was also a time that I didn't much like hiking. 

Now, thanks to mushroom hunting, I can say I enjoy both. Fall is when all the mushrooms are out (excluding morels, which are in the Spring)!  Mushroom hunting is like hiking, except that there often isn't a path to follow, and if there is you're free to go off of it at any point -- as long as you can get back wherever you parked your car.  But more importantly mushroom hunting is like hiking with tasty little treats (and sometimes BIG treats) for you all along the way.  I must admit that I still like hiking more during Spring or Fall, when the mushrooms are out!

I missed the Lake Cushman foray on the 10th-- we had a friend's wedding to attend that day.  It sounds like everyone had a good time and found a lot of chanterelles.  I'm envious!

I was able to get to Lake Quinault very late on Friday night, and spent Saturday morning in the POURING rain out in the woods around the lake.  We searched around the North road between Kamp Kiwanis and the highway, as well as another road off the highway a bit north of the lake.  Christine was my hunting partner for the day, and I commend her foraying abilities in spite of being drenched-- no poncho or rain coat could protect us from rain that heavy!  We gave up about 1PM and headed back to the camp.  Of course, not long after the rain stopped, but we were already in dry clothes and starting to cook for the potluck by then so we didn't go back out for more.  I did wander around the camp grounds and found several more chanterelles, so the afternoon wasn't entirely wasted.  Several small King Boletes were found in the area, and some folks went out to the coast where King Boletes are more common.  There was a lot going on at the foray between hunting mushrooms, the Lake Quinault Mushroom Festival, and razor clam season.  Definately something for everyone!

I want to thank Vance for setting up this foray-- the club hasn't been out to Kamp Kiwanis in several years, and he was instrumental in getting us back out there.  It was a great location and obviously good habitat for mushrooms.  I'd recommend going back now that it's rained good out there!