Morel, the delicacy of the Midwest….9. Go Mushroom Hunting

I learned of mushroom hunting when we moved to Saint Joseph seven years ago.  I was blown away at the time of the idea of people walking through the woods searching for mushrooms.  I would joke that if I ever went hunting for mushrooms I would wear camouflage so the mushroom does not see me!  Because morel mushroom hunting is such a thing to do in Northwest Missouri, I had to add it to my bucket list…9. Go Mushroom Hunting

1.  Start a blog


2. Go to the Presidential Inauguration / visit DC


3. Run a destination 1/2 Marathon


4. Compete in Mrs. Missouri pageant

5. Eating a raw oyster
6. Ride a mechanical bull


7. Cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner by myself

8. Shoot a gun/target shooting


9.  Go Mushroom hunting

10.  Learn to sew / make something I can wear

11. Visit a state I have never been to


12. Drive 100 mph on the German Autobahn (NEW)

13. Learn to play craps


14. Eat at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ


15. Complete one Pinterest craft project


16. Take a walking tour of a Civil War Battlefield


17. Learn to make a pie from scratch


18. Make Grandma's kolache cookies correctly

19. Take a shot of Jack Daniels


20. Drink a beer the size of my head at Hofbrauhaus Munich (NEW)

21. Do at least one pull-up


22. Visit Graceland


23. Take a train ride/ weekend trip to Herman, Mo.


24. Make homemade pasta


25. Run a 8 min/mile 5K


26. Take ballet class from the KC Ballet


27.  Reach my Weight Watchers goal weight 

28.  Visit the castle that inspired Walt Disney (NEW)


29.
  Eat authentic Chicago deep dish pizza 

30.  See the Eiffel Tour sparkle (NEW)

My office mate, Jeff, talks a big game but really just talks a lot!  The last few years he mentioned that he & his buddy, John (my former boss) go mushroom hunting in South St. Joe.   It was perfect since I needed to find someone to take me hunting.  I begged them both to let me tag along to experience “true St. Joe mushroom hunting”. 

Morel season is very unpredictable.  Missouri weather is the main cause for not really knowing when the best to hunt will be.  Everyone around here has an explanation for the perfect time to find mushrooms.  I heard from multiple people that you need one last frost and then an extreme increase in temperature for the shrooms’ to sprout.  This year is snowed in May and then warmed up the next few days.  It seemed like perfect weather to go picking! 

The three of us took off early from work and headed for the woods!  I made sure to wear long sleeves and long pants so I didn’t run into any poison ivy.   We drove out to John’s dad’s house south of town.  If I were to imagine a place to hunt mushrooms, this would be it.  The property had lots of trees and brush and hills.  We split up and walked up and down the property.  The area was very beautiful and quite.  I enjoyed walking through the woods and listening to nature.  As a former girl scout, I do enjoy being outdoors.  The one-thing that freaks me out is snakes.  I was reassured that it was too early for snakes, though I am sure they were lying.

Finally after about 30 minutes or more of searching John found mushrooms.  We all moved by him because as they say, “when you see one you will see a ton”.  I would like to report that “they” are wrong.  John found a few and I found ONE!  Just one little guy all by himself.  I had said that all I wanted was to find one just for the experience.  I fulfilled that wish!  

We kept searching but couldn’t find anymore.  I was ok was not finding any more since it was really warm out and I was wearing long sleeves.  I was also tired from walking through the hilly woods.  I also drank 3 beers, which went straight to my head now that I am a lightweight.  I would not recommend drinking and hunting of any type.  I now understand why some many people hurt themselves hunting.  Beer makes you unsteady and hunting grounds are rarely flat.  The walk through the woods did provide interesting conversation how crazy ways we could get hurt, especially if drunk. 

John was nice and offered me some of the mushrooms he found.  In the end I went home with about 10 mushrooms.  I had a lot of fun and am happy I got to experience the hunt with the guys.  I had to admit it but they are fun and entertaining to hang with.  I am not sure if they would ever take me again but I am would be willing to venture out again next year.

I was really excited to finish my blog by telling everyone how delicious my mushrooms were.  Unfortunately my mushrooms went bad.  The person responsible will remain nameless….so I definitely need to go back out next year to find more so I can actually eat what I hunt. 

I definitely recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to go mushroom hunting.  But don't forget the long sleeves and bug spray!  Especially if you live in an area where Morels pop up.   It is a special experience because you cannot hunt Morels everyone and is very unique to Missouri and some surrounding area.  Thank you John and Jeff for letting me tag along.   

Until next time....(which should be sooner than later)

XOXO, 

Abby