Hiking, Mushroom Hunting, Rain

We've been out and about the past two or three days, so sorry I haven't been around! I actually wrote my Friday blog on Thursday and scheduled it to publish - first time I've ever done that on this blog. It was a good feeling, to have taken care of something that I wanted to do in advance, and still be gone.

We met up with Phil's other friend who visited us this summer for a big day. He and Phil are both so very incredibly energetic that it's always a big, tiring day. A wonderful hike in the foothills of the Cascades, in huge old trees

With probably 25 varieties of fungi that we stopped to look at

coral mushroom that looks like cauliflower and is apparently delicious... and many others... And a fantastic panorama at the end of the trail, where Bryan and Phil napped...

Then we hiked back fast fast fast (when Phil in in the lead, that's what happens). I was so proud of myself, so pleased, that I'm now in the condition that when the pace is too fast, I can push myself to keep up rather than just being unable to and falling far behind.

We drove 20 more miles to a secret chanterelle mushroom spot, and hunted for mushrooms. At that point, though, I was exhausted and didn't keep up quite so well

We were a little late for the mushrooms but did find some. Maple leaves were on the ground, which are exactly the same color as chanterelles, so there were many deceptive appearances.

They are so beautiful, and so shy, just buried in the duff. Often, you'll find a whole ring of them when you find one. Are they delicious? Yes indeed. We ate them sauteed - as far as I know they're not good to eat raw, but I would like to look into the possibility of marinading them or some other way of preparing them.

We ate out at a Thai restaurant that night - I had a coconut cream soup that was delicious. I didn't feel as good afterwards as if I'd eaten raw food or my own prepared food, but I didn't feel as bad as after the ghee-experience with the Indian food. It's good to see the ways in which I can push myself...

What was the best thing you ate this weekend?