Mushrooms and loam. Going out on the trail with our dogs, my sister, and her partner, Daniella and I started to learn about mushroom hunting. My focus is often on mountain biking, and honestly, most of the time I will choose to be on my bike. But this was truly special. A way to really get to know the ecosystems that surround our trails.
We are fortunate to live so close to these spectacular mountains rising out of the desert. The rains that come during monsoon season bring with them a vast variety of flowers, and also fungi!
The draw of potentially finding culinary mushrooms is there, but we’ve really enjoyed the search. And finding beautiful mushrooms and getting a better understanding of the mountain environment that brings so much joy into our lives is reward enough.
Those who have ridden with me in the past would be a bit surprised by this slowing down to look at things. Not that I’m particularly fast- I can ride at a pretty good pace but I’m far from the fastest out there- but I’ve never been one to stop very often.
I would say that I enjoy the flow and momentum on a bike, and that I love the motion through the woods. Moving in this way allows me to see nature from a more holistic perspective, but that also means that I’m not seeing the details and nuance. This new hobby has given me a brand new viewpoint, and has given me a greater appreciation for the ecosystems along our trails!
