Enjoy Mushroom Mania & Small Town Charm In Michigan
Melody Schubert
March 26, 2007
Love mushrooms? Join the Annual Spring or Fall Mushroom Hunt in Northern Michigan. You're sure to learn more about these edible fungus and savor the delicious sampling of mushroom dishes on a Weekend Outing at Springbrook Hills Resort at Walloon Lake in Michigan.
This is a trip of first for me. I’ve never been to Michigan or mushroom hunting. We’ve arrived at our destination; Boyne City in Charlevoix County, and realize it is not just another tourist town. It is home to those who live and work within the small town to preserve their historic piece of paradise. Merchants take care and pride in their buildings and presentation of wares. No funky souvenirs here. We find quality crafts and arts worthy of fine art galleries. This may be one reason Boyne City has been chosen as one of the first four Michigan Main Street communities in the state by National Trust for Historic Preservation. This honor provides Boyne City with the resources needed to further preserve and enhance its unique and enchanting community.
We find another touch of nostalgia when we arrive at the historic Wolverine Dilworth Inn located at 300 Water Street in Boyne City. I can imagine an area lumber baron in the early 1900’s escorting his out-of-town guests across the veranda that wraps about the quaint three-story brick inn for a night of entertainment. Inside, we are welcomed warmly by our hostess Sue, who shows us to our suite that has the charm of a Bed & Breakfast with the added bonus of a kitchenette.
It is the smell of home cooked meals that lures us back to the restaurant downstairs for an early bite to eat. We’ve made it in time to hear the soulful tunes of J. D. Lamb while savoring an affordable evening meal of delicious chicken fajitas and huge side of cheese sticks. It’s the little touches like the extra comforter we find waiting in our suite to warm us later on this cool fall night at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn that make a difference.
The evening of excitement is just beginning. A short drive seven miles away to Walloon Lake at the Springbrook Hills Resort and we are in the midst of the Fall Mushroom Mania welcome party. We find more great food, facts, lore, and trivia about mushrooms along with the company of new friends who are staying in the vacation homes located at the Springbrook Resort. We learned that reservations fill up quick. No worry, the host of the Fall Mushroom Mania, Joe Breidenstein was kind enough to arrange lodging at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn in Boyne City so we could join him.
Mushroom Mania: Edible Delights Await In Michigan
Life is full of surprises. On the table when we enter the lodge is a number of samples of edible mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. Something I didn’t know until my husband and I are watching an informative video along with the group of eager mushroom hunters is how there are many edible mushrooms to find.
My hopes rise on our outing in the woods when my husband, Leroy pulls me back. I look down to find I almost stepped on a mushroom. Several other mushroom hunters hurry over to get a glimpse of our catch. We wonder if it’s a Paxillus atrotomentosus or Tricholoma vaccinum that’s edible, but not a popular choice. Our guide Larry suggests slipping what we find into our basket so we can take them back to the lodge where he’ll help us identify the mushrooms that are safe to eat.
We found one, then another, and now a dozen more between us. The mushrooms seem to be popping up everywhere suddenly. My brother-in-law, Walt shares his harvest of Morel mushrooms with us each spring. He has forty years worth of experience paying close attention to the wooded settings in Indiana to hunt Morel Mushrooms, Morchella conica. We can’t wait to return to the Springbrook Hills Resort at Walloon Lake in the spring for the Morels & More Weekend Outings. We hear it’s a thrill to find them because the Morels grayish color makes it easy to miss them among the brush and ground cover. They can range in size from 2 inches to almost a foot, and larger morels can weigh over a pound.
After collecting our fill for the morning we return to the lodge for lunch before heading out again. Evenings arrived and our group returns for dinner and wine tasting with baskets full of mushrooms. My patience has paid off. The pleasure of good company and the delicious meal prepared with many of the mushrooms we identified as edible is our reward. I’ve had so much fun; it’s hard to believe the weekends come to end.
We look forward to returning to Charlevoix County for the Annual Morels & More Outing scheduled for the last two weekends in April, and first three weekends in May. In the summer we’ll be back to cruise on the lake and play a round of golf at the world-class golf resorts in the area. No matter what time of year it is there’s plenty to do in Boyne County. Maybe we’ll run into to each other at the family owned and operated Wolverine Dilworth Inn or the slopes of Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands this winter. After all, Boyne City is a small town where strangers become friends.
Where To Go, Stay, & Find Mushrooms
For information on accommodations at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn located at 300 Water Street in Boyne City, Michigan call 1 800-748-0160.
Visit Charlevoix County, Michigan
To experience natural beauty of Charlevoix County visit the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 28 S. Lake Street, Boyne City, MI. Call (231) 582-6222 or visit Boyne City’s web site at www.boynecity.com
Join Michigan's Mushroom Mania
From spring through early summer Mushroom Hunter’s like Walt Worley, a twenty year veteran, flock to moist woodlands to track down Morels Mushrooms, a natural wild fungus. These savory mushrooms are a delicacy enjoyed in the US & exported abroad to other countries.
The Morels & More Mushroom Hunt in Michigan is set for the first three weekends in May or visit in the autumn for the Fall Mushroom Mania hunt also scheduled on several weekends. For information on these outings that feature casual, informal outings, filled with fun among old and new friends, plus great food call Joe Breidenstein at (231) 535-2227. Additional nights lodging available at the Springbrook Hills Resort, P.O. Box 219, Walloon Lake, MI 49796. To plan your trip and learn about Michigan's Mushroom Seasons visit
www.springtimesplendor.com/mush.htm
Say Hi To Joe Breidenstein, Who Is A Wonderful Cook And Host!
Above Photo Credits: © USA Travel Magazine
This is a trip of first for me. I’ve never been to Michigan or mushroom hunting. We’ve arrived at our destination; Boyne City in Charlevoix County, and realize it is not just another tourist town. It is home to those who live and work within the small town to preserve their historic piece of paradise. Merchants take care and pride in their buildings and presentation of wares. No funky souvenirs here. We find quality crafts and arts worthy of fine art galleries. This may be one reason Boyne City has been chosen as one of the first four Michigan Main Street communities in the state by National Trust for Historic Preservation. This honor provides Boyne City with the resources needed to further preserve and enhance its unique and enchanting community. We find another touch of nostalgia when we arrive at the historic Wolverine Dilworth Inn located at 300 Water Street in Boyne City. I can imagine an area lumber baron in the early 1900’s escorting his out-of-town guests across the veranda that wraps about the quaint three-story brick inn for a night of entertainment. Inside, we are welcomed warmly by our hostess Sue, who shows us to our suite that has the charm of a Bed & Breakfast with the added bonus of a kitchenette. It is the smell of home cooked meals that lures us back to the restaurant downstairs for an early bite to eat. We’ve made it in time to hear the soulful tunes of J. D. Lamb while savoring an affordable evening meal of delicious chicken fajitas and huge side of cheese sticks. It’s the little touches like the extra comforter we find waiting in our suite to warm us later on this cool fall night at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn that make a difference.
The evening of excitement is just beginning. A short drive seven miles away to Walloon Lake at the Springbrook Hills Resort and we are in the midst of the Fall Mushroom Mania welcome party. We find more great food, facts, lore, and trivia about mushrooms along with the company of new friends who are staying in the vacation homes located at the Springbrook Resort. We learned that reservations fill up quick. No worry, the host of the Fall Mushroom Mania, Joe Breidenstein was kind enough to arrange lodging at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn in Boyne City so we could join him. Mushroom Mania: Edible Delights Await In Michigan
Life is full of surprises. On the table when we enter the lodge is a number of samples of edible mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. Something I didn’t know until my husband and I are watching an informative video along with the group of eager mushroom hunters is how there are many edible mushrooms to find.
My hopes rise on our outing in the woods when my husband, Leroy pulls me back. I look down to find I almost stepped on a mushroom. Several other mushroom hunters hurry over to get a glimpse of our catch. We wonder if it’s a Paxillus atrotomentosus or Tricholoma vaccinum that’s edible, but not a popular choice. Our guide Larry suggests slipping what we find into our basket so we can take them back to the lodge where he’ll help us identify the mushrooms that are safe to eat.
We found one, then another, and now a dozen more between us. The mushrooms seem to be popping up everywhere suddenly. My brother-in-law, Walt shares his harvest of Morel mushrooms with us each spring. He has forty years worth of experience paying close attention to the wooded settings in Indiana to hunt Morel Mushrooms, Morchella conica. We can’t wait to return to the Springbrook Hills Resort at Walloon Lake in the spring for the Morels & More Weekend Outings. We hear it’s a thrill to find them because the Morels grayish color makes it easy to miss them among the brush and ground cover. They can range in size from 2 inches to almost a foot, and larger morels can weigh over a pound. After collecting our fill for the morning we return to the lodge for lunch before heading out again. Evenings arrived and our group returns for dinner and wine tasting with baskets full of mushrooms. My patience has paid off. The pleasure of good company and the delicious meal prepared with many of the mushrooms we identified as edible is our reward. I’ve had so much fun; it’s hard to believe the weekends come to end. We look forward to returning to Charlevoix County for the Annual Morels & More Outing scheduled for the last two weekends in April, and first three weekends in May. In the summer we’ll be back to cruise on the lake and play a round of golf at the world-class golf resorts in the area. No matter what time of year it is there’s plenty to do in Boyne County. Maybe we’ll run into to each other at the family owned and operated Wolverine Dilworth Inn or the slopes of Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands this winter. After all, Boyne City is a small town where strangers become friends.
Where To Go, Stay, & Find Mushrooms
For information on accommodations at the Wolverine Dilworth Inn located at 300 Water Street in Boyne City, Michigan call 1 800-748-0160.
Visit Charlevoix County, Michigan
To experience natural beauty of Charlevoix County visit the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 28 S. Lake Street, Boyne City, MI. Call (231) 582-6222 or visit Boyne City’s web site at www.boynecity.com
Join Michigan's Mushroom Mania
From spring through early summer Mushroom Hunter’s like Walt Worley, a twenty year veteran, flock to moist woodlands to track down Morels Mushrooms, a natural wild fungus. These savory mushrooms are a delicacy enjoyed in the US & exported abroad to other countries.
The Morels & More Mushroom Hunt in Michigan is set for the first three weekends in May or visit in the autumn for the Fall Mushroom Mania hunt also scheduled on several weekends. For information on these outings that feature casual, informal outings, filled with fun among old and new friends, plus great food call Joe Breidenstein at (231) 535-2227. Additional nights lodging available at the Springbrook Hills Resort, P.O. Box 219, Walloon Lake, MI 49796. To plan your trip and learn about Michigan's Mushroom Seasons visit
www.springtimesplendor.com/mush.htm
Say Hi To Joe Breidenstein, Who Is A Wonderful Cook And Host!
Above Photo Credits: © USA Travel Magazine
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