We have had an extremely WET spring but there are always good things that come out of adversity if you take the right attitude. The excessive moisture has brought an abundance of mushrooms in the area hillsides. I have never been mushroom picking, although my Dad and brother were always going out and spotting those yummy morsels. A new young friend showed up with 8 and 1/2 pounds of morel mushrooms and my taste buds were salivating like mad when I saw them.
After questioning him for every bit of information we could get, we THOUGHT we knew just exactly where to go to find these wonderful delicacies. My son who is an avid huckleberry picker, to the point that we have nicknamed him the "Huckleberry Hounddog" arrived from Seattle and he and I set out to stake our claim.
Heading up Shay Hill, I now know why the Subaru Forrester has won the hearts of many who dare to go where others cannot or wouldn't even venture to go. It was like a little tank crossing all those washed out ravines. I was really impressed and it got us to the top of the mountain.
I hate to admit it but we kind of got "skunked" when it comes to the volume of mushrooms picked but we really hit the jackpot when it comes to scenery. The views atop the hill were outstanding, could even see for about 30 miles of the Coeur d'Alene Lake. The spring flowers were abundant, fresh air never been fresher and it was just great to get out into the beauty area.
Although we did not come back with many morels, we arrived home with a whole new appreciation of mushrooms as we had spotted over 8 other varieties and had no idea of they would be delicious or death! Thus, onto the computer to study mushrooms, found a book at my Mom's house about the differant varieties and best yet, found out that there is a Mushroom organization in Spokane, WA that offers monthly meetings and field trips. Guess where we will be going in the fall? ? ? Life is just one big learning experience after another.
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