BEC: Salamander Efts on the Connelly Creek Traverse

When mentors planned this outing originally, we thought that it might make for a nice adventure in potentially colder spring temperatures. As it turned out, however, the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day as the Salamander Efts gathered at Marine Park to start the Connelly Creek Traverse.

It was apparent that we should have changed the outing at the onset, and spent all day lounging near the coast because the day had a hint of summer expansiveness that was not conducive to “completing” a traverse, or anything. Nevertheless, the boys stretched their edges to balance fun and exploration with the outing’s focus of reaching the Boys EC service site in Happy Valley Park.

After reviewing names and welcoming mentor Greg back into the fold, we embraced the spring warmth. Explorers threw rocks, basked in the sun, and ran around the beach at Marine Park. We finally garnered momentum and began the two and a half mile trek by checking out the Great Blue Heron rookery adjacent to the water treatment facility. We counted a dozen birds and nests atop the grove of tall, skinny Red Alders.

We pushed onwards until we had a nice view of Bellingham Bay before having lunch. Boys ate, joked, and laughed. Some slept and others continued their carving journey from last outing. Once again, we got the gears moving slowly and found the interurban trail which was to guide us for the most of the rest of our outing.

Some games of Hide kept us occupied as we passed 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th streets. We learned to identify plants as we walked. Please ask your Explorer if he remembers the three trees (Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Grand Fir) we found along the first part of our route.

Then came some coincidences. Dave had everyone practice what to do when bicyclists approached and everyone moved to the side. He called out “Bicycle!” and then three riders appeared from around the corner looking rather shocked at having been called out without being seen.

The next occurred when boys and mentors explored a gorgeous plant with pink tubular flowers. Ribes sanguineum is one of the first blooming spring plants and is connected with a unique pollinator. Ask your Explorer if he remembers the coincidence and what that pollinator species is!

We identified Indium Plum, the leaves of which your Explorers may tell you smell like cucumber when crushed. Its drooping clusters of 5-petaled white flowers are yet another sign of this primary bloomer. We walked upcreek in the shade of giant Black Cottonwood trees, all the while tracking the route of the salmon.

Indeed one of the objectives of this outing (yup, we do have some goals in mind :) ) was to connect Explorers with the service work they will do next outing. By tracing the salmons “steps” up to Connelly Creek from Bellingham Bay, we hope that the boys will see how vital their service work is to the salmon, the watershed, and to our community. Habitat restoration will lead to clear, clean water upcreek that flows and weaves through the entirety of Happy Valley and Fairhaven to the ocean.

We played some games to quicken the pace and then took a long break for water, food, and to practice skills. Greg created an ember, and then a fire by using his hand drill which impressed some Explorers. You too can do this, boys, if you practice! Practicing the Art of the Carving can lead you to this Art of Fire too. And sure enough boys cleared space for blood circles and safely carved. The first blood of the season was drawn when one Explorer nicked the tip of his finger while using his edged tool. The lesson here: stay focused, don’t rush, and watch your work.

The last stage of the day was finding Padden Creek after it crosses under Old Fairhaven Parkway. We wandered through thickets of salmonberry and blackberry and marshy footing as we arrived to the confluence of Padden and Connelly Creeks. At this juncture we held closing meeting, shared apples, and participated in a Circle of Thanks.

As we ambled through the rest of the riparian zone we came to the Connelly Creek bridge and considered, albeit briefly, the habitat downcreek versus upcreek of the bridge. We have a lot of work to do to help this habitat, Explorers. Uncharacteristically, we arrived to our parents right on time. What an outing- we managed to balance our wanderlust with a focused intention!

Thank you Explorers for such a strong presence today. You are growing faster than we can keep up but we have intention for the rest of the season- service, carving, and Spider’s Web. Parents, thank you for encouraging these boys and supporting our traverse by driving to two different locations. The journey was only doable because of your help!

Please see more pictures from this outing in the photo gallery. We look forward to seeing you at the next outing from 11am-3pm on Saturday, April 26th.

BEC Salamander Efts and the Teddy Bear Traverse!

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 14^th.