Black Cricket: Taking some time off, mushroom hunting, and another beautiful sunset.

After a relaxing morning on the beach with Lily and after Thomas had gotten his fill with the waves, we headed back to our campsite at the Gualala State Park.

We love our weekend escapes up north, mostly cause we get to sleep under the trees, hear the calming ocean waves in the background, hover over a roaring fire, and forget about our cell phones--they don't get any reception here.

We prefer our tent any day over a hotel room. Call us crazy.

Thomas made breakfast, that always makes me happy.

I got in some knitting. Working on a Celtic vest for this winter. I am biting my lower lip, I was working on my set-up row for the pretty cabled front.

Then we headed for a hike. Our destination for the day was the Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve just 18.5 miles south of Gualala.

Even though the Rhododendrons are in bloom April-June you can still get an idea of how spectacular the forest would be if these giant plants (most were taller than 6 feet) were all dressed with their pink and white flowers. We will definitely be back for the show.

We have been interested in mushroom hunting and the Mendocino/Sonoma coast is perfect for that. It didn't take long for us to spot some fungi.

Really they were everywhere. These particular mushrooms popping out of the ground are not edible. Still we were fascinated by them.

Thomas' spotted this variety and from the looks of it, something or someone was busy eating it up. Edible?

Yes, we were all smiles.

We were mostly looking down, but we managed to spot some wild huckleberries. Slightly tart but sweet and delicious.

I counted a total of 15 mushroom varieties spotted on our 4 mile hike. After talking with the locals at the Point Arena Pier the next day, they assured us with much excitement that it (the abundance of fungi) gets better after the first rain. Now the pressing question are they edible?

Oyster mushrooms, growing out of dead bark... totally edible. This winter I am going to come back with some local fungi folk for a day of mushroom foraging to learn about mushrooms. Want to join me?

We spotted this plant. With orchid like foliage and berries?

As promised, I learned to use the timer on our camera. Can you spot the worried big eye look on me, I was wondering if it would work as the camera took the picture.