Clustered Coral (Ramaria botrytis) growing on down Douglas fir measured about 18×10 inches
I walked the trails photographing the found fungi and then collected specimens.
Ready for the dryer
Once back in the lab, I took more photos, tried to identify, then cut, dried and packaged for a mycologist in Portland.
Me in the lab
I also went to Seattle’s Cascade Grotto (cave club) with a slide presentation to ask for their volunteer assistance with many projects. The cave needs to be cleaned regularly. LOL! Cleaned? Yes. Every person that walks through the cave leaves a little of themselves behind. This includes hair, skin, and many pounds of lint a year. It’s tedious yet gratifying work. I encourage you to volunteer. And the Grotto has participated in many projects since then.
Close up of lint on cave formations in Paradise Lost
Winter 2004 came in with a vengeance and in three days Carson and I were buried under 30 inches of snow in my RV.
DOT plowing out my truck at Oregon Caves NM
After being plowed out…
Resource cabin with lab at Oregon Caves NM
…and finishing my project, I decided to head south for a month to thaw out.
Me at Joshua Tree NP
I crawled around in Joshua Tree National Park. Then as spring began to bloom in the desert I needed to return to work.
Just looking at how you were buried in snow makes me think it was a good idea to head south!
How interesting that you’re into mycology!
Wow what a post and love the photos. All that snow, gee, glad you got out.
I am impressed. You must have an amazing life.
Very interesting world you have. I love your posts.
Gaelyn: Really great photos and such interesting info on the caves.
Your world is so different. I think most of have a secret hankering to do what you’ve done. Love that sunset header too.
This was really interesting, and the photos are terrific. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.
LOl didn’t realize you could leave so much of yourself in a cave. Looks like you have been hit with lots of snow. Great photos! Hope you have a great week.
One thing I love about reading other people’s blogs is that I learn new things daily. My new thing today was “mycology”. thank you for leading me to that side search.
What an interesting post. I have enough trouble keeping my house clean. I would not want to do “grotto cleaning”!
Wow those are great shots, thanks for sharing.
Cheers!
Regina In Pictures</a
This is so interesting. I never thought of the need to clean caves! I also have trouble visualizing 30 inches of snow. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Talk about a deep snow. No wonder you had Joshua Tree on your mind. One adventure leads to the next.
Great post and photos!
Thanks for sharing your adventures. Sounds like a wonderful, fulfilling life. I noticed that your dog Carson just recently passed away. I know you must miss him. Dogs are such wonderful cheerful companions. Too bad they can’t stay with us longer.
Cool pics of those mushrooms and that was loads of snow too!
I can see why you wanted warmer weather after that. But it is pretty to look at.
Amazing Gaelynn and I never thought about all the stuff us humans leave behind unwittingly!
We collect mushrooms too. When we were in winthrop, we were mainly collecting morels, but I’ve been known to hunt down Boletes, Chantrelles, Oyster Mushrooms, Fairrings, Chicken of the Woods, Shaggy Manes, and a few more here and there. It gives one a different view of the forest.
Must have been exciting to get snowed in.
We may be going to California in two weeks. I want to show Stacey Joshua Tree then.
Wow, look at all that beautiful snow! Do you have snowshoes for when that happens to go explore? Joshua tree sounds like a great place to visit, and warm up!
I love edible mushrooms but photograph anything in the Fungi line to compare seasonas representation of species due to weather conditions.
Great post.
What an interesting post! I would never have thought you’d have to clean out a cave but I guess that does make perfect sense. That was a LOT of snow.
Hi Gaelyn, I think many people would love to live the life you lead. It sure looks like you enjoy it!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.
That snow is amazing…i have only seen snow twice in my life.
I only thought cave cleaning was cleaning up after bats! Lint?! Wow!