Gray Wolf Pups Traverse Padden Creek

On a remarkably sunny spring day the Gray Wolf Pups met up at Lake Padden for their final outing of the season. Our adventure would begin at the south end of Lake Padden and would take us along the shore side trail to the lakes outlet; Padden Creek. We would then follow Padden Creek for a ways, go off trail, and meander our way down to Old Fairhaven Parkway, under I-5, and right to our Connelly Creek service site. This traverse was an Explorers Club first and the Gray Wolf Pups were eager to blaze the trail. Circling up in the field we handed out our jobs for the day that help us explore and keep us safe. Although the boys are so familiar with them, one Explorer even passed them all out, we would need to revisit their purpose a few times later on in our outing.

With too much energy to sit in circle, it was clear we needed to hit the trail. First we checked out the map, planned our course and determined the best route for our traverse. Hiking along the south shore was the most direct route so off we went. Traverses are a fun change of pace for the boys because with all the hiking it gives ample time to chat with fellow Explorers about shared hobbies, interesting things on the trail, or just do their best to get one another to laugh. Of course we broke up the walking and talking with numerous games of “HIDE!” and discovered that even on heavily travelled trails there are plenty of nooks and crannies and sword ferns to tuck away in out of sight.

Coming to the outlet of the lake, we turned down the Padden Gorge Trail that meanders just beside the depressingly small trickle of water that is Padden Creek. This was a great reminder that we indeed had a warm winter and though the rain has filled our aquifers, the snow pack that should have been melting in the hot sun and supplying our lakes and streams with cool glacial water is just not there this year. Also beside the trail we discovered a bouquet of flowers that someone had picked yet mysteriously left on the side of the trail. Curious, the mentors and some of the boys inspected the flowers as the rest of the group who was a bit ahead kept trekking along.

As we inspected the flowers, both mentors quickly took note of the small cluster of white flowers, purple-speckled stalk, and carrot-top like leaves and advised everyone not to touch this plant. Yes, someone had picked a bouquet of Poison Hemlock! We inferred that they likely picked the highly poisonous plant unbeknownst to them only to get contact dermatitis and set the plant down to avoid any further irritation. This was a great learning opportunity for some of the Explorers to ID one of our deadliest plants and learn from another’s mistake which is certainly preferable than learning from your own.

We quickly caught up to the rest of the group and cut off the main gravel path to follow a deer trail that the mentors had scouted days before. Trekking ahead, the boys in front yet again managed to outpace the boys in the back. Generally this is when the Front Scout takes note and has the group stop to allow the back of the group catch up. However, the Front Scout was keener to adventure than keep the group together. Along the way some of the Explorers who had studied the Poison Hemlock shared their newly gleaned knowledge with the others. To their surprise this information made a handful of the boys who had scouted ahead very nervous. (SPOILER ALERT TO SAVE PARENTS FROM WORRYING: No one consumed Poison Hemlock or came in contact with it!).  In fact, as the mentors began investigating their sheepish behavior they learned that a couple of the boys had found a plant they thought looked like “tobacco” and in a humorous effort took a little nibble of it. This action rarely if ever happens and in BEC we make a very, VERY strong emphasis around NEVER consuming any plant until you have a one hundred percent positive identification. This is in fact one of the few topics mentors can become incredibly stern on the boys over due to the severity of it. However, a few boys managed to let this notion slip their minds. We quickly found the plant in question and made sure it was not Poison Hemlock. Using our Plants Knowledge Keeper (aka Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Pojar and McKinnon), we identifyied it as Palmate Coltsfoot which is not poisonous. In fact, the Quinault used it to cover berries in steam cooking pits and it has even been cultivated by Japanese immigrants as an early spring vegetable (Pojar p.294). There is no doubt these Explorers learned an immense lesson from this experience and even admitted to being a bit rattled from the thought they could have consumed Poison Hemlock and required a trip in an ambulance to get their stomach pumped at the hospital.

After getting too spread out along the trail and having a scare with consuming plants we hadn’t first positively identified, it was clear we needed to have a talk. Upon circling up the mentors emphasized the importance of awareness; tracking the landscape, the plants, the animals, the weather, the season, the group, and yourself. How are your actions impacting others? How are your actions impacting the land? How is the land impacting your actions? How are your emotions impacting your actions? Etc. We must be vigilant in our awareness to ensure our personal safety, group safety, and the safety of the land. Our actions ripple throughout our own lives, the lives of those who are close to us, and even the lives of those we are unaware of.  Luckily we escaped the day without any harm done, but there is nothing like a close call to truly learn a lesson. The mentors also emphasized the importance of making mistakes in life, that it is inevitable, and that instead of dwelling on what could have been it is important to learn everything you can from the experience and move on with greater wisdom and the confidence of knowing how to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

We took a moment to decide as a group how to spend the rest of our day; carve then hike, hike then carve, or hike then carve/play in Connelly Creek. The Gray Wolf Pups showed an impressive level of group cooperation and decision making though they still needed a little nudge here or there from the mentors. The decision was made to hike all the way to Connelly Creek and maximize our free time there to carve, play in the creek, or just explore a place we usually spend all day working at. Once we navigated the thick salmonberry, sunny hillside of the old housing development, and navigated across Old Fairhaven Parkway, we finally made it to our destination.

At Connelly Creek the boys relaxed after a long hike in the sun. Some Explorers carved, while others went down to the creek to build boats out of sticks, grass, and leaves and race them down the creek. This quickly turned into a full on creek exploration where boys discovered crawfish, broke up stick dams that were clogging the creek, and just got lost in the moment of it all. It was wonderful to see these boys getting to enjoy the very creek they work so hard for in their service. It was a fitting end to a great day, and a great season, where much was learned and many fond memories were formed.

The Connelly Creek Traverse with the Branch Hoppers

Branch Hoppers Explorers gathered on a sun-balmy Sunday at Marine Park for the beginning of the Connelly Creek traverse. The water was placid, the temperature climbing, the sky a clear blue. It was nearly a summer day, and all of Bellingham seemed to be celebrating. Marine Park was busier than this Explorer has ever seen it—people in the water and on the beach, the gulls, crows, sparrows, finches, and hummingbirds bustling or basking, the trees sending out joyful blossoms and new leaves drinking deeply from the radiance. There was something sweet about sharing the enjoyment of the weather with the whole community.

Explorers gathered and soon the excitement of gathering again mixed with the wonder of the weather made for an explosion of running, tagging, laughing, and falling. Once everyone arrived, mentors turned right into the skid and decided to open up the day with a rowdy game instead of a meeting. Tail tag!  We found a good location with natural boundaries, circled up, and made sure everyone knew the game. Explorers got ready, set, and burst into action. Tails were pulled, challenges abounded, and on-the-spot awareness proved key. Explorers learned a bit more about the value of owl eyes and expanded awareness, as well as getting a good sense of positive versus negative competition. That said, it did boil down to being a really fun game. The second round included a challenge: everyone on all fours and with the tail tucked in the back pocket. This changed things quite a bit on all fronts. At the end of this round, we had thoroughly exhausted ourselves, which meant it was a perfect time to circle up, have opening meeting, water, and a snack.

In circle, we recognized a mentor who some had not met before. Tim was stepping in to work with us as Steve spent the weekend recertifying his wilderness first responder status. Though we missed Steve, it was a great opportunity to get to explore with Tim. He brought much wisdom and insight to our group. We introduced ourselves in some creative ways, then got down to the business of our day’s plan. It was simple. The Branch Hoppers had a mission: go east, young men! We had to find our way along the creek from where it met the ocean to where we do service. This lead into a few key points about how all things are connected and the power of water. Explorers were first challenged to find east. Any Explorers remember which cardinal direction the sun is at around 1 o’clock during daylight saving hours? Where does it rise? Where does it set? We’ll look more and more into why as we delve further into the art of Exploring.

So, the mission was given, and it was up to Branch Hoppers to get us there. We had a special job situation where, instead of having one tribal elder, we had tried having a tribal council of four people. This would prove very important, as we had some genuine high risk hazards this outing. We had to cross streets and a railroad. Tribal elders and scouts helped the group to stay together and to figure out how and when to cross safely.

Soon after our first crossings, we came to a fork in the road. Again, the group was challenged to come to a consensus decision. After a lot of squirming and a few helpful prompts from the mentors, we decided and we went for it. A new wilderness community began to open up before us as we entered wooded areas. A bird calling above us gained our attention. The knowledge keeper brought out the bird book, and, after some deliberation, an ID was made: a northern flicker. Shortly after that, we found a fascinating nest that looked like an old sock. At the next crossroads, we deliberated again. Needs were stated, scouts employed, and a decision was shortly made. As we began to exit, we decided to try out eating a few of the flowers from a bigleaf maple.

Further down the trail, we found an excellent spot to have some more food and water. It was near Padden Creek and seemed to just call to us. After some food, spontaneous play broke out. Lots of sticks and exploring seemed to be called out of us. As we began to pack up for the journey ahead, we set the Explorers Club goal of learning how to be more skillful and honorable with sticks. Just at that moment, someone pointed out a sign. We were standing on an ancient campsite from thousands of years ago. Perhaps this scene had been played out on this very spot thousands of times before.

More adventures ensued of course, but all cannot be told. Know that there was more edge-stretching with group empowerment and decision making, learning how to endure when tired, learning a bit more- through direct experience- about our water and land, safely navigated real hazards, and finding enjoyment in the face of challenge. There was also plenty of genuine play and thoughtless wonder as we enjoyed the water, the trail, the land, and all of our natural communities.

Ending at the service site brought it all home. Everything really is connected. Parents, you might see the picture of the dead old world rat that we found by the site. We looked at this rat before closing circle and wondered how many living things we passed on our way who depended on this creek to live. We also thought about the ancient campsite and all of the other signs pointing to the history of this trail. How much died to build the soil for all of these beings, and us, to live? That old world rat was a good teacher. Of course, we ended with a good circle, shared food, and thanks.

Much thanks to all the Branch Hoppers for your wonderful work! Much thanks to all the families for your enduring support. Don’t forget to check out pics from the outing in our photo gallery.