The weather was ominous as the Salamander Efts gathered in the North Chuckanut Trail head parking lot. Volunteer mentor Mike MacKenzie joined Dave and Greg offering his wisdom and bringing his enthusiasm for the Chuckanuts! A slight drizzle had turned into a steady rain by the time opening meeting had started and jobs assigned for the day. While waiting for a late arrival the boys and mentors scrambled down a fern filled hillside to investigate the salmon in Chuckanut Creek. The boys waded and jumped while observing Chum Salmon heading upstream. There were many dead salmon along the creek banks rotting away. While they had a powerful smell in places their role in returning nutrients from the ocean back to our forest is a vital part of our coastal ecosystem.
We returned to the parking lot and collected our last explorer and set off for the first leg of the traverse. The first leg of our journey was the most treacherous. We navigated crossing Chuckanut Drive, and wound down a faint trail to a small patch of wetland below a giant slope of mossy fern clad talus. We discussed a new hazard for our group-Devil’s Club. These tall spine covered plants are the sentinels to our sneaky trail through the woods and require lots of respect. Ask your explorer what the Girls Explorers Club calls this plant and why! The Salamander Efts balanced across logs hemmed in by a thicket of Devil’s club and finally made it to the other side completing the first challenging leg of our traverse. Well done lads!
After the navigating the wetland we encountered a small patch Nettle. Dave showed the boys the technique of harvesting, preparing, and making cordage out of the fibers harvested from the outer layer of the plant. The group began to feel some tension as we felt a desire to both learn this important skill, and to press on toward our destination. One important Explorers Club motto is “It’s about the journey, not the destination” and mentors were working hard to keep the boys from becoming too fixed on making it to Teddy Bear Cove and missing the rest of the journey and the chance to learn new skills!
We emerged from the forest into sunshine and a cool breeze at Woodstock Farm. The boys and mentors took a well-earned rest near groves of Pacific madrone still laden with brilliant red fruit. Some boys attempted to make coals with Dave’s bow drill fire kit. This is a skill that explorer’s will develop after they learn the Art of Carving and begin to gain the skills to harvest and prepare their own kits. Being able to create fire from a number of methods in all weather conditions is an important wilderness skill and one that is very fun to practice!
With the sun dropping towards the horizon the Salamander Efts began the last leg of the traverse. Climbing up out of Woodstock Farm, the Mentors led the boys back across Chuckanut drive and up Spokane Street to the interurban trail. We followed the interurban until we reached the sign marking the stairs down to Teddy Bear Cove. After we snapped a few victory pictures we crossed the road for the final time and descended down to the ocean! The late afternoon light was stunning when we arrived at the beach. The boys immediately dispersed exploring every nook and cranny they could safely venture into. A few boys found a beautiful grotto adorned with ferns and moss and when it was time to return for our closing meeting, several were reluctant to leave such a magical spot.
In Explorers Club we believe in strong beginnings, strong middles, and strong ends. With this in mind the Salamander Efts and their mentors held a powerful closing meeting on beach looking out across Chuckanut Bay. We reflected on a full season of adventure that began back in early Fall with the Art of Camouflage and ended here at the ocean with a group knit together by shared experiences. The Salamander Efts have grown together and in store for many more adventures! As we enjoyed our apples we all shared a highlight of the season and something we were grateful for. The final circle of the season was powerful and while there was a sense of wistfulness at the close of fall, already boys are looking ahead to winter outings the beginning of the spring season.
Dave and Greg offer a huge thank you to the Salamander Efts! Boys, you made this season a huge success and we look forward to working with you this spring! Parents, you deserve a huge thank you as well! We couldn’t do this important work with your sons without your support. Working with your sons has been fantastic; they are such terrific young fellows! Please check out more pictures from the outing in the photo gallery. We look forward to seeing you at our first ever Winter Solstice Gathering on December 14th.
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