Bill White Memorial Alaska Foray (by Debbie Johnson)

Bill White Memorial Alaska Foray

August 26 – September 2, 2023

For many years, Bill and Jerri White have hosted the FFSC at their lodge on the Kenai River in Alaska. We have enjoyed beautiful scenery, wildlife, fresh seafood and mushrooms! Edibles often found include Boletes, Gypsies, Hedgehogs, Lactarius deliciosus, and Alaska Gold, Phaeolepiota aurea. Fungal diversity can be astonishing, with some forays yielding over 200 species.
Read about our 2017 foray adventures.

We are so very sad to report that Bill White Sr. has passed on. His son and partner in the lodge, Bill Jr., is welcoming the FFSC back for a farewell foray. A number of spaces have been previously reserved by those who attended Bill’s memorial. Six spaces are still available to current dues-paying FFSC members. The window for reservations will close on April 15^th and the foray will fill quickly! See below for reservation details.

In the past, Bill Sr. would lead mushroom some forays and others might strike out on their own. This year we will explore and guide ourselves. We are fortunate to have several Alaska foray alumni in our group to lead! Day trips usually include a visit to Seward (where some hike the Exit Glacier) and Homer. The Girdwood Fungus Fair is held on September 2 & 3, handily located on the way back to Anchorage.

Some folks may want to fish for Silver Salmon. Bill can arrange guided fishing for Silvers on the river, weather permitting, and/or halibut charters on the Cook Inlet. For those wishing to stay closer to the lodge, Silvers have been caught from the dock! The limit is two per day per person and does require a fishing license. You can purchase a one-day, three-day or a one-week license locally there. The lodge has a commercial vacuum machine and freezers, so the fish can be boxed in insulated containers and checked as luggage. For those interested in Razor clams, collecting is closed on the Kenai peninsula, but available by charter on the mainland across Cook Inlet. Bill Jr. has also had success with Butter Clams near Homer.

The Whites will host a potluck on the deck overlooking the Kenai River during our stay.

Accommodations
The lodge has three cabins that will sleep at least four adults in single beds (one bedroom downstairs and two in a very large loft upstairs). Each cabin has a bathroom with shower, a kitchen with microwave, coffee maker, gas stove and a full-size refrigerator. The cabins are fully equipped with bedding, kitchen utensils and dishes. The sitting area includes a small couch that makes out into a single bed if needed. Expect to share the cabin with other fungiphiles, as they are booked four to each cabin. Laundry facilities are located within a mile of the lodge where you may do laundry or leave the clothes for them to do for you. Groceries, hardware, outdoor gear and more recreational shopping can be found nearby. In case you wondered, the stores carry an excellent selection of wines and spirits including some great microbrews.

Weather
Expect some rain and cool weather at this time of the year, so come prepared. Bugs should not be a problem this late in the season.  There are six dehydrators for use at the lodge and they are usually very busy during foray season. Some folks order their own dehydrators and have them shipped to the lodge (they take them home on the plane). 

Getting Around
Fly into Anchorage. Adventurous souls may plan a trip on the Alaska Ferry System. Consider sharing a car rental with other participants, as Alaskan car rentals are pricey. Try http://www.carrentals.com/ or Turo for better prices. Try to get an agency OFF THE AIRPORT for the best prices; they all have pickup service. It is not quite as handy but makes a big difference in price. 

Lodging Cost
The cost for lodging this year is $35 per person, per day, with everyone expecting to share a cabin. There is a one-time cleaning fee of $10 per person. It’s truly the bargain of the Kenai Peninsula and we are most appreciative!

Guests will prepare their own meals in their cabins. Some folks have asked to extend the foray so they can do more tourist things and use the lodge as their base camp. This is possible with arrangements made with Bill at the time of booking. And if you’d like him to arrange any fishing charters, please let him know upon making your reservation.

See under Members-only how to sign up.  Do not contact Bill White directly.

Please note that this is not an officially organized FFSC foray along the lines of the Albion trips. Rather, we are a loose group of mushrooming friends traveling and meeting in Alaska. And it’s gonna be fun!

https://www.alaskasportslodge.com/
Sterling, AK