From: riburr@shentel.net   
      
   Nelly W wrote:   
   > riburr wrote:   
   >> Steve Peek wrote:   
   >>> 1 small black one found today!!!!!   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >> Unbelievable! Worrisomely early... I was riding around in the National   
   >> Forest. Not really looking for anything edible. (It was to gather   
   >> creeksand to make some seed-starting soil mix.) Actually saw where   
   >> someone spray painted pictures of mushrooms on a big rock. I guess it   
   >> was to mark a good spot, but they could've been more subtle about it.   
   >   
   > Guess they couldn't afford a GPS. Since I moved back east I'd been   
   > filling mine with entries through end of November. I haven't been   
   > looking yet this year but last week I did see a dead birch covered in   
   > Auricularia, and some witches' butter. It sure is great to finally be   
   > back in mushroom territory. Now to get unpacked & find my gear...   
   >   
      
   GPS? That's ***so*** cheating!  GPS can remember a good location, but   
   you still have to time it right.  Mushroom schedule is a combination of   
   season, temperature and precipitation.  And, as far as the morel picking   
   goes, everyone and his brother seem to know the hot spots, or can guess   
   where they may be based on terrain and tree species present.  I'm still   
   searching for the mother load, as yet unfound by others, and so unlogged   
   into any GPS memory.  The unknown mushroom hotspots are the ones that   
   get me excited.   
      
   Getting lost in the woods is not something I worry about, as I just   
   follow the creeks to the one big creek that drains the valley where I   
   usually forage.  A road *usually* follows the main drainage creek of its   
   respective valley.  Usually, I'm never more than a few miles from a   
   road.  Sun position and mountain ranges give me a general idea of   
   compass direction.  Loss of bearings is actually a little exciting, but   
   temporary, as I've always been able to find a road, or fire break, or   
   hiking trail in short order.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)