Post date: Apr 5, 2013 12:06:18 PM
We are going to have a walk on Sunday, April 14th at 9:30AM at Rock Castle Gorge, part of the Rocky Knob National Recreation Area, south of Floyd, off Route 8. We will probably also explore parts of the surrounding Blue Ridge Parkway. Please RSVP to me by email (with your contact phone number if I don't have it already) at rebeccahrader@hotmail.com. If there is enough interest, we will carpool. I will furnish you with directions and decide on meeting spots when we see who all is interested. There is very little parking at the bottom of the gorge, which I think is where we should begin.
As I have mentioned before, I do need RSVPs because if we exceed 10, we need to get a permit for research or divide into two groups. These are National Park Service rules and they do have rangers to enforce them.
Besides mushrooms we have found a lot of beautiful wildflowers and other natural wonders on this walk. In 2010, Goldie, George, John and I came here on May 1st, so the giant Morels we found were past their prime. In 2011 on April 16th Tony, Eva and I found nearly 100 Morels both in the Gorge and on the Parkway, though the rain scared most of the club off, the sun came out and it was a lovely afternoon. Last year we only found a handful because it was such a strange season, but this year should be GANGBUSTERS with the rain (and snow) we've been having, the long solid winter and the warm-up beginning tomorrow.
Rebecca Rader