Mushroom Hunters

One of my favorite imaginary scenarios as a child was to pretend I was lost in the wilderness, left to fend for myself, living on nuts and berries and wild mushrooms.

Down in Riverside Park, I'd tunnel a little home into the bushes, and prepare make believe meals over make believe fires. The main course would always have some acorns, wild garlic and any brown and spongey mushrooms I'd find around the legs of the old trees down by the river.

The New York Mycological Society is a group of grown-up mushroom hunters who track their prey on weekends in the parks and cemeteries around the city, and bring them home to eat in real true feasts.