26 FLOURISH • SPRING 2014
mushrooms in small amounts, then wait-
ing to see how they are tolerated before
indulging in larger quantities.
The sun's rays strain through the fog
as we slowly navigate the steep trail
to the crest of the ridge where tower-
ing Douglas-Fir trees stand like eerie
sentinels in the mist. They seem to sigh
as the coastal breeze whispers through
their high branches. We feel dwarfed
beneath the giants' canopy as we follow
the ridge line north--descending at last
to the main trailhead and completing
the five mile loop.
Though the spoils of our hunt were
scant, the knowledge we gained was
more than worthwhile. Foraging for hid-
den treasure is a gamble. Some days the
quest pays off handsomely; other days
the same efforts come up empty hand-
ed. Above all, foragers must possess a
love of nature, patience, and a thrill for
the hunt.
It is important to note that regional
foraging rules vary greatly and many
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