Well, I haven’t been hiking in quite awhile. So, today, I gathered up some warm clothes, my Chupacabra, and set off into the wilderness to explore brave new worlds once again. While my expectations were high, I never thought that 2021 would let me down. Sure enough, it did.

Usually, after torrential rains, mushrooms of all varieties sprout with the fervor of young hatchlings escaping from their shells. But today there was nothing of the sort. In fact, I only located 2 and 1/2 shrooms. The 1/2 shroom was last years False Turkey Tails dried up on older decaying logs. The living shrooms were a jelly shroom and a parasol of some kind, most likely deadly if eaten. The jelly shroom was edible I believe, although I wasn’t about to test that theory. 

The Chupacabra was delighted to be out in the forest, testing the lingering smells left behind from other lifeforms of the wilds. And maybe a few local dogs being escorted on leashes on the muddy trail. And muddy it was! Cold. The sun had receded behind a few scattered clouds, enabling the temperature to drop a few degrees, although it felt like icicles were forming in the misty air.

I was happy to be out, among other hikers, except for the few that were in full battle gear obeying the fear mongering of the main stream media. I did meet a younger couple who took the time to admire the Chupacabra and little known to them, I had fed her earlier and she currently wasn’t hungry.

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CHUPCABRA!!!

Not for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Crop of shrooms – might be Psathyrella longpipes

Parasols of some kind – not for consumption until I identify them

Tomorrow begins another arbitrary cycle around the sun. Perhaps the next cycle around the sun will bring surprises, laughter and mysterious meetings.