Eighteen participants enjoyed a sunny, warm walk (87 F) on the well-maintain trails of Milford State Forest. The trail skirted a picturesque pond situated on one side of “State Lands Road” and then following a loop-path on the opposite side of the seasonal road. The vigorous growth of young trees denoted clear evidence of the forest recovery since the tornado of 1998. Along the way we stopped several times to look at mushrooms, including puffballs (Lycoperdon perlatum), the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) and a delicately branched, white Coral Fungus (Ramariopsis kunzei). The real surprise, however, was the discovery of the deeply blue flowers of Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii). Upon return to the DEC shed, the group sought shade in which to enjoy their lunches. Report by Currie Marr
