The Edibles Walk

“Humble ourselves in the arms of the wild; gotta lay down low and humble ourselves in the arms of the wild. Gotta ask her what she knows and we will lift each other up, higher and higher. We will lift each other up, higher and higher. Humble ourselves in the arms of the wild.”

Beverly Frederick, “In the Arms of the Wild (Humble Yourself)”

We gathered for the drive to Waxhaw, NC. Our destination was 35 acres of wild woods where we would begin our Edibles Walk. This event, sponsored by TreesBeesThese.org, had invited us to “tread lightly and appreciate greatly the gifts Mother Nature provides under every foot step.”

Our eco-guide, Jillian, traveled from Asheville where she leads outdoor adventures with No Taste Like Home, an ecotour company and educational organization specializing in foraging. Gathered together, we sipped sweet, woody birch bark tea, prepared that morning before beginning our wandering.

The cool mist, remnants of the early morning rain, filtered the suns rays, brightening the day. An easy silence settled in as we moved through the cathedral of trees. Our bodies lightened as stress evaporated away in the presence of these majestic friends. Looking up, we were in awe of the towering Beech and Birch, Black Walnut, and the ubiquitous Pines. White Oaks, with their rounded lobe leaves and Red Oak, with pointed leaves, stood side by side. We hoped they found our acknowledgment of this important distinction pleasing.

Various shades of green moss and gray fungi captured our eyes. The first edible plant we found was wood sorrel. Delicate leaves with maroon centers outlined with pale green resembled small shamrocks. Bunches of sorrel grew low, spreading along the forest floor as ground cover. Their sharp, sour taste lends itself to teas, pesto and stews.

Amber jelly roll was next to be discovered. Quickly dismiss the jam, sugar, and flour picture appearing in your mind! This is an incredible, edible fungus found in early Spring, well before the Fall mushrooms appear. It is a brown, gelatinous fungus that can appear shriveled as it dries or plump as it is re-hydrated. The consistency is similar to a gummy bear and works well as a thickener in soups. Wild ginger peeked out from under fallen leaves to introduce herself. Lichens growing in concentric circles on rocks offered to flavor whatever our imaginations came up with.

Three hours passed. We were suspended in time. At this moment, Jillian stood still and began to softly recite the poem, “Lost.” Emotion welled up in all of us, tears of gratitude and oneness. Standing by the trickling brook, gazing down at the plant life growing at the edge of the waters, we gave thanks…humbling ourselves in the arms of the wild.

“Lost”

“Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes besides you are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, and you must treat it as a powerful stranger, must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. Listen. It answers, I have made this place around you. If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here. No two trees are the same to Raven, no two trees are the same to Wren. If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you, you are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you.”

David Wagoner