Forage Gourmet (Autumn ‘23)
“Wilderness is not a luxury but the necessity of the human spirit.” — Edward Abbey
I’ve been hiking since that memorable first time my parents took me on a trail in the French Alps near Grenoble, at age four.
Over the decades I’ve trekked Shenandoah, Monteverde, Bryce, Snowdon, Grand Canyon, Monadnock, Acadia and, my local favorite, First Landing State Park in Virginia.
Only problem, quite often I find myself going around in circles. Trail map and compass are no help; how do you know which direction to turn if you don’t know where you are?
Luckily, the other day a survivalist expert on TV explained that getting lost in the deep woods is no biggie, it’s par for the course. You’re going to be alright as long as you have a Swiss Army knife with you and a box of matches. And remember, you must maintain proper nutrition. Thanks to Creation, a simple yet quite delicious meal is provided by Mother Nature herself. Oaknut burger.
Once it’s getting dark all around you, you’d better accept that the wilderness is your motel tonight. Instead of brooding over bad break or ineptitude, get busy collecting acorns from the forest floor. Remove the shells and let the seeds soak in hot water. Drain and wait till dry. Mix with whatever else you gathered and crush to pulp. Form sliders and cook them on campfire.
Come to think of it, starvation should be given equal consideration.
*****Published first in the Virginian-Pilot on May 24, 2024.*****
