My mushroom weekend by Carol Reed

Just back from a weekend of moreling (mushroom hunting) in the Sierras near Emigrant pass. We went there 2 weeks ago and the mushrooms were prolific ( there was a fire there last year- morel fruit the next year after a fire) We had so much fun we decided to make another trip this past weekend with the hopes that they would still be fruiting. We were also tired of the fog and needed a sunshine fix.
We drove up Sun. morning and arrived at our destination around 11. We were wandering around the semi burned forest in spots we had previously picked in when I notice a big pile of poop. It wasn't steaming but still looked semi fresh. I figured it was probably bear. OK I am now a little more aware and looking a bit further than the immediate surroundings for bear as well as mushrooms (which look like pine cones). We found a few but not like previously.

The next spot we stopped we found a few more morels and in my blundering a loud rattling noise pierced the quite of the forest - rattle snake! I had disturbed his tranquility, a mere 4 feet from where I stepped. I moved quickly away. OK now I must be on the lookout for bears , rattle snakes and hopefully morels.

The next spot we stopped at the mosquitos decided I was their food of choice. Curt kept saying they were only nats but when we stopped for lunch he finally saw what was dining on me and they started on him.
I was beginning to think this was a bad omen and what the heck was I doing there. We weren't finding that many mushrooms and it was more like work than fun.

We then took a side road and a hike to a lovely spring. We found a couple nice patches to pick along the way - no bear poop and only a large garter snake was spotted on this diversion.
Later we found some nice patches to pick and the mushrooms were huge - fist size-I realized why we were there. It was fun and I was happy.

As always you must be aware in all situations and environments
We grilled some fresh morels over the fire that night and enjoyed a little wine thankful that mosquitos settled down before us. ..