Salamanders, Cheese & Mushrooms that look like lobsters…
Posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Posted by Ammie.
We’re sitting in an organic cafe in Astoria, OR, listening to what I think would be described as jazz piano, and the combination of the light coming in from the huge picture windows, reflecting brightly off the clouds and the ocean, and the yummy lunch we just had, is making me dreamy…
Sleep has been one thing so far on the trip that there has been a drought of, and for Adam moreso than myself. I worry about how sleepy I am on this Thursday afternoon, then I realize: I don’t have to go back to work tomorrow. I don’t have to go back next month, as a matter of fact.
What a great feeling. Yes, even despite the slight itching of my hands and dizzyness (Adam blames the salamanders and/or the mushrooms).
As you see from the blog, we went mushroom picking today, and I have to say, I was not expecting to find as many as we did! Of course, I was convinced that several of them were the ones in the picture that were described as a “choice edible” and were said to “garner high prices in markets and restaurants”. Unfortunately, they also looked kinda like the ones that are deadly poisonous. The only one that I was positive we could’ve eaten is the lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) which was easily identifiable- but I was still to chicken (smart??) to taste it without the expert ranger’s go-ahead…
So, now I’m going to take a moment to apologize to my “fans” namely being my Sis and Melissa, for lagging in the blog-posting department. Yes I admit, I am even postdating this blog. That is, I started it when I said I did, but in the whirlwind of activity that ensued in the last few days, I forgot to “unpause” and finish/ post it.
So let me just wrap up with a couple more thoughts about Astoria, Oregon. Astoria: you rock. No really- I really dug this town, and everyone I had the opportunity to meet there. It is nestled on a hill in the “I know it’s not a bay or delta, but I don’t know the geographical term for it” area, where the river flows to the ocean, and everything is gorgeous and green.
I wanted to say a special thanks to Michael McCusker for sharing his genuine brand of inspiration with Adam and I. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to sit and talk; your encouragement really does mean the world to us!! And as Adam said in his blog, I’ll vote for you next time! 
Just one more thing: I had perhaps the tastiest bottled ginger ale I have ever had tonight at the Voodoo Room. (“Insert picture here”, once Adam shows me how!!)
its about time!! haha, i was gonna text you the other night but you never respond so i figured i just say hi here! hope all is going well! love you sis!