On a recent New Mexico Mountain Club hike in the Sandias, I was pleased to see there were still a few fungi. Perhaps the most representative were what I believe had been something with gills. Just as a skunk surprised half way across the road remains visibly recognizable as a skunk, what we found certainly must have been mushrooms. However, the maggots which had once resided within had long left home and most likely completed their life cycle. One could hold the stipe upright and the cap would flop over and quiver for a second or two. I won't try to describe the aroma. One of the folks on the hike asked my favorite question: "Can you eat that?" The snickering of the remaining hikers saved me from the need for a polite answer.

This anecdote serves to suggest that our season is at its end. Now what? We of course begin thinking about next year. There will be those April jaunts into the hills looking for a certain mythical ascomycete, whose alleged existence serves solely to defy all rules about where they are--or aren't--supposed to appear. Then there's those hot, dry months where you're as likely to find mushrooms in your yard as anywhere else. Then there's the real mushroom season--and another Annual Foray. There have been a few gentile nudges toward our holding next year's gathering in Los Alamos, which would most likely include our returning to the Valle Grande. I can't say that there is a definite plan, but it doesn't seem too early to inform members of the possibility.

Looking a bit closer in the future, at the November meeting we hold election of next year's officers, which means we try to establish a nominating committee at the October meeting. I will ask at the upcoming meeting if any members want to be on that committee or would like to be a club officer in 2006.

October Program
In April 2003, Dr. Robert Parmenter treated us to a wonderful talk about the Sevilleta Refuge. He has since taken on the role as Preserve Scientist at the Valles Caldera. Dr. Parmenter will speak at our upcoming meeting about the Valles Caldera Preserve and its ecological systems.