“Mushroom hunting folk are a really weird type of person — there’s as many varieties of them as there are mushrooms,” says Chris Matherly of the Morel Mushroom Hunting Club. DAY TWO — BIG BLONDES Matherly, better known as “Shroom,” had prepped another stellar breakfast for this inarguably varied group of foragers. Wild mushroom omelette, bacon, toast with homemade jam. Camp breakfasters Since the near-bust of the previous day, the group was more motivated than ever to find mo

There are dozens of varieties of edible, wild mushrooms to be found in the Pacific Northwest. In June, I went in search of the queen of them all, the mighty Morel. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, my new circle of PNW friends are an adventurous bunch who hunt, fish and forage. In March, my Seattle friend Diane sent out an email blast looking for any pals who wanted to join her on a guided Morel foray with the Morel Mushroom Hunting Club. In my Los Angeles life, I would h

Although I’ve lived in Southern California for almost 30 years,  the Pacific Northwest — particularly Seattle and more specifically, Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula — has a hold on me I can’t explain.  I think it tugs at my native Pennsylvanian sense memory — it’s verdant with cedar, fir, rhododendron; brisk from breaking water and crisp winter air.  It gives me a reason to wear wool and eat soups.  It’s a climate that breeds characters that I feel at home with — people tha