We're on our way to Denver

Well, I suppose all of you know we have winterized the cabin and are now on our way home via Denver. My last few days were consumed with harvesting, cleaning, and cooking shaggy-mane mushrooms. This particular one in the picture came from the beach at Lake Koocanusa a couple of weeks or so ago. But our driveway suddenly started sprouting huge clumps of them last week. I had never seen them grow in clumps, and by the time I thought of taking a picture of a clump, there weren't any more! But I would dig them out of the gravel with a spading fork--as many as ten or twelve in some clumps. Then I would have to clean all the pea-sized gravel out from between the stems and scrape off all the dirt. Very time-consuming. But they are delicious sauteed in a little butter or olive oil with green onions or garlic--very mild and tasty. We have had abundant shaggy-manes in years past, but mostly singles, or a double at most. They are the only edible wild mushroom that I know for sure by sight. Lots of others in our woods, but we don't dare try to eat them.

It has been hard to say goodbye to our little place--after a cold snap, we have had such spectacular weather and fall color--and Orvis has been so happy! But we're also eager to see all of you.