The weather promised to be miserable a few weekends ago but I had the boys so their dad and sister could participate in a Search and Rescue event, so we decided to brave the rain and go mushroom hunting.
I wasn’t sure if this was the best of ideas because I had only been once myself before (and attended multiple classes on the subject). But I figured worse case, we got wet. I’d just call it at the first sign of boredom. Plus, I packed a bunch of snacks.
Let me tell you, almost 11 year olds are very adept at spotting the tiniest of fungi!
We were on the prowl for chanterelles and oysters, the two I feel the most confident about selecting and consuming. Let’s just say they were very elusive.
As we traipsed about, I just said a silent little prayer the we find at least one, maybe two to make it all worth it. As a soon-to-be stepmom, every outing tends to take on just a bit more meaning as our relationship grows.
My companions were doggedly determined (and having fun wandering off trail) and we eventually found a few lonely chanterelles to bag.
As the clock approached an hour, I asked if they had had enough and if they were ready to check out the lookout at the end of the trail (any good parent knows to have a trick up their sleeve in case original plans fall through).
We ended our safari 5 stories up, eating a snack sheltered from the rain and checking out views of the valley. And I can tell you that although our bag was not full (of mushroom bounty), my heart certainly was.
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