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.

Traversing Connelly and Padden Creek with the Gray Wolf Pups

Arriving at Marine Park the Gray Wolf Pups quickly hurried down the beach to look out at the bay. It was apparent that the group had cultivated resiliency over the fall season. Heading straight into the gale they roamed the beach looking in the nooks and crannies in the breakwater. Circling up on the sand the group played a quick name game and revisited some Explorers Club Culture. The Mentors challenged them to remember each one of the group’s very important jobs. As they called out jobs the conversation turned towards the importance of the jobs within the group. An Explorer asked which was the most important job. This was a great time for the Mentors to talk about the importance of circular leadership within our group. We Are All Leaders and our jobs function interdependently with one another. We separate our jobs from ego and authority, filling our roles for the sake of putting forth our best intentions and actions within the group and for the land.

Turning our conversation towards the journey ahead we took a look at a map of the interurban trails that connect Marine Park to our Connelly Creek Service Site.   Learning how to orient the map to the four cardinal directions the Explorers deciphered that they would need to head east and find a safe place to navigate over the train tracks. Mentors cautioned the group that out of all the hazards on our journey road and train track crossings are the most dangerous. Our ability to focus as a group and bring forward the task at hand is critical in these moments.

After crossing the tracks safely one Explorer pointed out what he thought was the interurban trail. The group reviewed the map again and his instincts were correct. Just as we were about to head east a large murder of crows, about fifty strong, flew over our heads. Tracking the Northwestern Crows we could tell that they were alert and on edge. Matt asked the group why crows flock in large groups in the wintertime. The group came to the conclusion that the crows stick together because of predatory risks. Matt explained that crows flock and roost together to avoid predation from raptors, to share information about danger and food sources, and also to find mates. Northwestern Crows are extremely altruistic and loyal. Matt asked the Explorers which other species crow behavior reminded them of. Thinking about it for a while they came to the conclusion that we were very similar. We can learn so much from the other species when we get quiet and observe what the land is telling us.

Turning once again to the Tribal Elder the Mentors asked the group which way we were headed. One of the boys who was familiar with the area brought up the suggestion to follow the trail west towards Fairhaven Dog Park. In our outings Mentors seek to cultivate organizational skills within the Explorers. Touching on the traverse the Mentors told the boys that it had been almost an hour already and we had moved about one-eight of a mile on our two and a half mile trek. The boys decided as a group that we would go and explore west for a little bit and then really focus our hiking for the next leg of the trek. Arriving at the dog park the boys were immediately drawn to the large hill. Like clockwork some called Hide and the group went diving into the Scotch Broom bushes. After playing multiple rounds and almost losing our snacks to some hungry dogs the group was back on the trail.

Although the weather was cold and wet the signs of spring were in the air. As we walked we admired the white flowers and vibrant green leaves of the Indian Plums and pinkish flowers of the Red-Flowering Currants. With some guidance from the Mentors each of the boys sampled a leaf from a female Indian Plum. When eaten and crushed the plum leaves have a strong odor and taste of cucumbers. At this point in the Gray Wolf Pups journey with harvesting it is critical that don’t eat anything before consulting with a Mentor. It is important to be well informed when harvesting wild edibles and also to harvest them ethically. Foraging is a skill that takes time and focus to develop and can deeply connect us to the power of the place and season.

As we hiked the front scout started to hear some commotion in the distance. The group came to find that there was a race happening on the same trail we were traversing. We circled up and decided that we were going to use the race as an opportunity to increase our awareness skills; if someone called runner, everyone had to get to the right side of the trail. Little did the group know that we were going to have to call “Runner!” about every thirty seconds! In the end it was a great chance for the boys to work on group communication and keeping that same focus we used to cross the tracks.

After about a long push the group stopped and rested and snacked. As the cold and wet day started to set in the group began to feel tired and fatigued. Matt and I encouraged the boys to muster their energy. The group rallied and once again started snaking along Padden Creek as it thundered towards Bellingham Bay. Hiking along we came across a section of trees that had been devastated by the recent winter storm. Combing the wreckage the Explorers tracked a sweet smell coming from a downed Cottonwood branch. As the group crowed in someone brushed up against a branch and a plume of pollen was released from the Cottonwood’s catkins.  Investigating further the boys found sticky buds at the tips of the branch. Grabbing some buds the boys squeezed an amber resin out of the centers. Matt and I explained that the resin could be made into a powerful balm often called the Balm of Gilead. This medicine can be used as an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-fugal, anti-septic, a lesion healer, and cold remedy, among many other uses!

Mustering our strength once again we hiked the last stretch of interurban trail before the confluence with Connelly Creek and Padden Creek. Navigating across Old Fairhaven Parkway we cut through a retirement community, with permission of course, and found a deer trail that led back towards Connelly Creek. Crossing over both Connelly and Padden Creek once more we arrive at our service site. What a trek!

Sitting under the shelter at Happy Valley Park we held a closing circle and gave some thanks. The group gave thanks for the ability to challenge themselves on the journey, for the medicine and food that the landscape provides, for warmth and shelter, and for our ability to muster strength even when we don’t think we have it. We ended our day in the rain playing a few rounds of Salmon oh Salmon.

Now that the Gray Wolf Pups have gotten to know the Padden Creek Watershed they will be able to better serve it at their next outing at our Connelly Creek Service Site. The Mentors are excited to welcome in a second season with the group and want to give a big thanks to all parents and volunteer staff that work so hard to support the Explorers Club. 

For more pictures please visit our photo gallery.