mushroom festival!

this year we had the pleasure of attending the 30th annual mushroom festival in eugene, oregon.  it was pretty amazing!  they held it an the mt. pisgah arboretum, a 209-acre living tree museum.  the festival showcases several hundred species of fungi, collected throughout western oregon.  they even have experts there to help identify mushrooms.  last year, 2 people brought in previously undiscovered fungi.  the largest mushroom display on the west coast, the festival also features a plant sale, scarecrow contest, hayrides, crafts, live music and lots of mushroom inspired food.  we enjoyed the most delicious chantrelle mushroom pizza and a mushroom soup featuring 5 different varieties of fungi.  we also sampled some lion's mane (my favorite!), oyster, maitakes, and buttercaps.  saraya loved them ALL.

there were long rows of tables filled with all types of mushrooms.  daddy and uncle drew were teaching the pandi about boletes.

so many funky kinds!

this one isn't edible but it sure looks fun to draw on.  it's called artist's conk.

best in show

my favorite!

i'd love to try one of these cauliflower mushrooms

we actually found and ate some of these lobsters

this little black elfin saddle is cute but inedible 

she was excited about the leaves falling from the trees.

lots of dancing

and lots of hippies

her horse noises are pretty cute

we picked up a little surprise from the festival as well; if all works out, you'll see it soon...