I’ve been initiated into the glorious world of mushroom hunting. I have always reveled at the diversity and beauty of fungus. I am often the slowest hiker oohing and ahhing at the crazy colorful formations pushing out of a wet layer of humus. Only on rare occasion did I think I seen an edible variety- Trumpets of Death and Morels. I have now been shown how to spot delicious Golden Chanterelles in nearly my own backyard. A generous friend, Lauren, decided to share the wealth. She blindfolded me and drove in circles to confuse the location before we arrived at a seemingly average hiking spot. Apparently, there is no aura of heavenly light where edible mushrooms are to be found.

The mushrooms don’t sit pertly on top of the ground. They lay buried with only an odd mound of leafy looking orange peaking out.

I thought maybe Lauren had x-ray vision but it turns out that once you had a sighting and plucked your first bouquet of meaty funnel shaped fungus, you are on high alert for more. It was thrilling and even more amazing is that I have significant poundage to cook with for my Thanksgiving feast (I already ate some so I know my family is safe). Hopefully I won’t be itching at a poison oak rash over dinner.