Quad Cities Women's Outdoor Group

We had a fantastic visit from the Quad Cities Women's Outdoor Group on Saturday, August 8, 2020. It is a joy to share the farm, especially with a group undaunted by heat, humidity. and lots of walking.

Quad Cities Women's Outdoor Group and Paula Thoele

If there is a commodity we can count on here, it is plenty of open air for social distancing!

In the morning we talked about the geography and flora of the Driftless Area. Had a peek at the history of Native Americans and early European settlers. Bill Handel, discussed plants used for medicinal purposes by the Native Americans.

All this, after a short, but hilly hike, on a Palisades State Park trail adjoining the farm.

A couple of mushroom species caught our eyes and camera lens. The golden oyster is a common sight in the moist woods. The Netted Rhodotus (aka rosy veincap or wrinkled peach) is an uncommon sight.

Golden oyster mushrooms

Netted Rhodotus

Wild Bee Balm also known as Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is at the end of its bloom, but took a starring role throughout the day.

We were able to sample a taste of it in tea that Julienne McCormick shared during her discussion of Sauk and Fox people who were living in these hills prior to European settlement.

In the afternoon, we explored the relaxation of Forest Bathing, a meditative immersion in the calm we can find in nature.

After our meditative amble in the woods, we reflected on the experience while sharing mint tea and shortbread cookies glazed with lemon and bee balm icing.

Our daughter, Claire, made the cookies using the recipe found at: https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/shortbread-biscuits/

The glaze was powdered sugar mixed with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and sprinkled with dried bee balm petals.

We had a taste of Switchel, also known as Haymaker's Punch, at the site of an early settler's homestead. This early version of an energy drink helped people working in the fields stay hydrated. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_ginger_switchel/ 

Recipe my mom used

At the end of a long day everyone was still smiling.  QCWOG pictured with Paula Thoele and Julienne McCormick. Shiva, the mascot dog, takes center stage. Many thanks to everyone who made this day happen. Jenny Weeks for inspiration, input planning and materials. Juliene McCormick for information and encouragement. Bill Handel for expertise and insight (and Mountain Mint plants). Claire Thoele and Matthew Larson for all the support work and running. Mark Thoele for everything he does from paths in the woods to building to envisioning. The Quad Cities Women's Outdoor Group for fortitude and a love of the outdoors.