Silver Salmon's Larrabee Coast Traverse 6/10/17

The Silver Salmon have outdone themselves! This traverse began with a revisit to our navigation skills and snake discovery, if that's any inkling about how our day unfolded.

This outing requires focus and a switcheroo from our usual It's All about the Journey motto, as we needed to get to Wildcat Cove on schedule. If not, we would be stuck on the sandstone face of "The Bump", a particular rock formation that juts out into the bay that is only accessible when the tide is less than 3 feet. We had to organize our six hour day so we would have enough time to navigate our route, play together, explore the beach, eat, and get to our destination. And, bam! Silver Salmon rocked this outing! They stretched their edges, widened their circles, practiced skills, demonstrated bravery, communicated their needs and supported each other when needed. This mentor is so proud of their growth this season overall.

We gathered at the Clayton beach parking lot and happily and loudly welcomed each other, widening our circle to include each person. Re-connecting as a group is sometimes an awkward process, and play helps dissolve the social divide. Opening circle was like herding squirrels due to our excitement, and then we looked at a tide table and the map to plan our day. A quick visit to the toilet resulted in finding a slithering of Garter snakes, so that was exciting! Handling snakes so you don't get pooped on is an exercise in gentleness and calm and is not about holding them, but rather giving them a continuous surface to move on. Ask your Explorer how to do so. We used lots of hand sanitizer after!

We began our journey down the trail with the need to make a decision about our route, as soon as the trail forked. We stopped to share information about the trail, and then the mentors stepped out of the circle so the Silver Salmon could make a group decision. We don't vote when making decisions in Explorers Club, we instead use Collaboration and Compromise as our guide. Which is a longer process to engage in, but it's vital to the group dynamic. Working through personal frustration and individual wants (let's go!) for the benefit of the group can be challenging. Turns out, this group discussed their options, listened respectfully to each other's opinions and made a decision based on the information and we were on our way in less than five minutes. Nice work, girls!

We hiked the trail down to the railroad tracks and found the infamous rope swing. Yoikes. We had a full S.T.O.P. discussion about why Explorers don't just jump on this swing and go for it. It looks so fun, right?

Here's a situation where the risk very much outweighs the fun. Do we know how long that rope has been hanging there? Is that rope designed to hold weight and be used for this purpose? Do ropes degrade? We considered a long list of "what ifs" and decided if the rope broke, it would be a seriously detrimental experience for everyone. So, we messed around with the rope swing, using it as a messenger service across the creek and such, but it wasn't actually sat on by any Explorer. We watched an adult who decided the swing looked like fun, so we gave him some unsolicited opinions about why that was not a smart idea, ha! We admit it was tough to watch a grownup swinging on this contraption, and not join in that fun. Ah well. we survived our disappointment and had lots of fun in this forested creek gulley. We found a big salamander/newt in the waterfall section of the creek and tracked a shrew for a surprisingly long while. We evolved into our usual wild animal selves; coyotes, cougars and wildcats,  happily exploring the creek, mud and our lunches and playing together in small groups for a couple hours like we do. The Silver Salmon love to play!

And then just like that, it was time to boogie to Larrabee! Now the challenge began. We saw "the Bump" from our rock outcrop near Clayton, and that was our goal. Our first opportunity for focus was to slide down a slick rock face with guidance from Lauren. Plop, plop, plop, with barely a hesitation, Silver Salmon slid right down.

The mentors found that our traverse was going to be trickier than we had previously experienced during this outing. The tide was a bit higher than the prediction, so we didn't have the option to walk along the sandy shore with minimal rock scrambling. It was going to be a scramble across those big boulders, the whole way. So with a sense of urgency, we began our journey.

Was it challenging? Yes. We needed focused awareness on our every step. Some rocks were slippery with decomposing seaweed and unexpectedly shifted under our weight.

Navigating The Bump was the most challenging as the trail is very narrow along the rock face. The margin for error was small and the opportunity for a dunk is high if you're careless. It's key to go slowly and carefully, putting the Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow motto into practice here. The Silver Salmon handled themselves like champs, taking good care of themselves and each other. When there was talking, it was to encourage each other. One thing we discuss often is what being brave means. The Silver Salmon's definition for being brave is 'being scared, and doing it anyways.' We think bravery is not a feeling, it's being persistent and having perseverance to move through a perceived obstacle.

And finally.....YES! We reached our destination with just enough time for a snack and closing circle. Apologies for the delay in our return, this group's circle around sharing connections and acknowledgements for each other was something we couldn't quit. :)

Here's the link to our photo album of the day. And check out Holly's AMAZING granola bar recipe below (Holly got several requests for this recipe after the girls chowed down on them during one of our traverse snack breaks)!

Thank you, Silver Salmon. Great work practicing your skills this season! Here they are, being ferocious! Or laughing at each other's ferociousness!

Granola bars

Preheat oven to 325
Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper (this is KEY!)

In large mixing bowl, mix wet stuff:
~1 ripe mashed banana
~1/2 c nut butter or sunflower butter
1/2 c sweetener (sugar or maple syrup)
Big blob of molasses
Big dash salt
Hearty dash of cinnamon (to taste, whatever you prefer)

Then add dry stuff:
3 c  Rolled oats (not quick)
1/2 c  Shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 c  Raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 c  Raw sunflower seeds
1/2 c  Ground flaxseed/hemp hearts
~1/2 c roasted unsalted peanuts or other nuts
~1/4 c  Chia seeds
~1 c  dried fruit (dates, cherries, apricots, raisins)
~1/2 c or more Chocolate chips
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

Note: anything marked with a ~: I don't really measure these items, I just put enough in so it looks like a good ratio when mixed. These are optional items, use what you've got and experiment.

Mix it all up until thoroughly moistened and smoosh evenly onto parchment covered cookie sheet. Press the batter down hard (use a rolling pin), or your bars will be crumbly. Bake 25-30 minutes. Sometimes I leave them in the oven for a while after it's off so they get really crunchy. Cut when cool. Store in airtight container.  Enjoy!

Point Whitehorn Exploration: 5/21/17

After gathering and waiting for all of our Silver Salmon to arrive, we hopped on the bus and headed north! It was the first sunny day it what felt like years, so we were eager to explore the fascinating forests and beautiful beaches of Point Whitehorn. 

Some highlights from our joyful day of exploring:

* Connection through check ins on the bus, each one sharing what they're passionate about, what's challenging for them, what goals they have, what annoyances, and more.

* Applying the EC Mottos All Things Are Connected and Turn Problems into Possibilities as we understood how Point Whitehorn came to be a reserve: it was purchased by the Whatcom Land Trust with funds given after the Olympic pipeline explosion - a leak of gas delivered from the Cherry Point refinery right next to the reserve... gas that is made for our use. We reflected on the conundrums of resource extraction, delivery and use and source and end point pollution, and how we're all involved in this dance... as well as in the dance of connection and protection.

* Learning about the Sitka Spruce: where it grows (coastal rain forests), what people use it for (musical instruments, beer, airplane wings, basket weaving), the largest one in the world (on the Olympic Peninsula), the sacred Golden Spruce (in BC, sadly cut down in an act of vandalism).

* Learning about the importance of diversity, in life and in forest ecosystems. Seeking and finding biodiversity in this sitka spruce forest including meeting a new slime mold, a phototoxic invasive (cow parsnip), and a parrot!

* Arriving at the beach and exploring widely: exploring in the water, discovering what was just below the surface, investigating tidepools, opening shops to trade all sorts of beachy goodness, and creating nature art.  It was so nice to see all the Silver Salmon completely engaged in play with each other!

* Understanding that most of the rocks on this beach were glacial erratics, granite left behind when a giant glacier receded.

* Playing a great game that emphasizes connection and gratitude for each other: Secret Admirer!  We drew names out of a hat and then were tasked with delivering gifts, notes, and appreciation all day. The Silver Salmon went all out and bonded with each other in such a sweet way!

* Completing a sunny and restoring Peaceful Place strewn along the beach amongst the driftwood and boulders.

* Finding that the hours had flown by and that we really didn't want to leave that magical beach! So much so that we were 20 minutes late to pick-up (sorry parents!).

* Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude and Acknowledgements of each other on the bus. So much to be thankful for: the sun, the sea, anemones, one another, Whatcom Land Trust, family, rocks, nature's calming medicine. 

Check out the photos from the day here!

EC Mottos especially in use today:

Safety First

We Not Me

Attitude of Gratitude

All Things Are Connected

Be Here Now

It's About the Journey, Not the Destination

Art of Fire Building at Cornwall Park: 2/19/17

Silver Salmon, or should we say Silver Squirrels? Although the vote was an overall ‘NO’ to an official group name change, this squirrelly bunch joined the Cornwall Park squirrels with their boundless excitement, playfulness and lively energy. Our day of exploration at Cornwall Park began fairly cool, but thankfully all the Silver Salmons arrived full of excitement and readiness to gain some fire building skills!

After an easy-going collaborative decision-making session, we got our bodies warmed up with a few rounds of Fox Tail Tag. Once the squirrelly spirits got their chance to shine, we honed in our attention to FIRE. What is fire? Where is fire? Where does fire come from? How can you feed your fire? Well, after some deep philosophical conversations we gleaned that fire is Sun, fire is Energy, fire is Soul and Inspiration… Needless to say the Silver Salmon were excited to transform their skills and energy into fire! 

The girls showed their patience and supportive attitudes as we all took turns practicing getting a spark from flint & steel. After just 2 rounds, everyone had successfully made a spark! And that was enough to spark our enthusiasm for gathering fuel. But first we each contributed to our ”tinder bundles” by unwinding a piece of cordage to mimic the flammable seed hairs of Cattail plants. Before heading out, we heard loud and beautifully clear the calls of Red Tailed Hawks soaring high above...

We set out in teams to gather all the necessary fuel sizes for our fire: dry tinder, kindling, and squaw wood. As we explored the underbrush of tall Western Red Cedars, budding Indian Plum, and thickly barked Douglas Firs, we searched long and hard for dry materials that we could gather while still

Leaving No Trace. We learned about the magical fire wonders of fat wood - resin impregnated heartwood - that is often found in stumps, and focused our search for this fire fuel treasure. A few dry Western Hemlocks provided the perfect kindling we needed! Silver Salmon worked together identifying and collecting the ideal fuels.   

On our walk around the park we practiced some S.T.O.P. as we navigated around other park users that were engaging with flying objects. Our mentor Holly shared some wonderful insights on differentiating Cottonwood trees from Maples, and a few even got to collect Cottonwood buds, perhaps for some future Salve making. (Spring is near!) A few resin coated Douglas Firs caught our attention along the way. The concentration and determination for getting that resin on a stick was astounding!

As we found our way back to the shelter, the time came to bring our materials together and build a fire! (After, of course, feeding our own fires with a well deserved lunch break!) The nest was built with the collective tinder bundles and a tipi shaped squaw wood house was set - with the opening facing the wind- to receive the nest once it was lit. We all took turns with the flint and steel, again practicing great patience with ourselves, support for each other, and reverence for the fire to come. And before we knew it….FIRE!
 

While we all took turns tending the fire, a few games of Spider’s Web were played, a few clever squirrel traps were set, a few stories and fire-starting tricks were shared… and what better way to the end the day than with fire roasted apples with cinnamon and butter! 

Explorers Club Mottos especially alive today:Widen Our Circle
Safety First
Leave No Trace
Attitude of Gratitude