The Larrabee Traverse with the Red-Tailed Eyas

The fog rolled in over the Salish Sea as a Red-Tailed Eyas gathered for the infamous Larrabee Traverse exploration. It was only thirty minutes away from the high low tide, the sea at nearly four feet, and only a narrow isthmus of land connecting the boat launch area to the Larrabee State Park beach. Right off the bat, this exploration was about focus, working together, rising to the challenges, and working with the landscape. As we circled up, we recognized this, and made a snap decision to get to Larrabee State Park beach right away to have a longer opening meeting there. So Explorers jumped onto logs, trotted across the stone beach, navigated the thin isthmus of land, hopped from rock to rock, and rounded the corner. We chose a good spot to circle up, and we all prepared for what lay ahead.

This outing is not for the faint of heart. Especially when the tide is perpetually coming in. We had a projected high tide at 5:30 PM, which was fairly close to our closing time, and which meant a consistently elevated tide throughout the entire outing. We considered what this meant for the landscape and what kind of obstacles we might face. Safety was a big part of this opening meeting, and so we made sure to recognize how each one of our jobs had an aspect of safety. We would inevitably be doing some rock climbing, some log and rock balancing acts, and we would constantly be in a situation where we would need to stay close together. Everyone on this journey played an essential role.

And then we were off. It wasn't long until we came across the first major obstacle. The water had pushed up against the sandstone and the only way to continue along the coastline was to negotiate a small rock climb and scramble right next to the ocean water. We assessed the situation, set up spotters, established a good route, and went one by one. Each person stretched his edge in his own way, and it was apparent that this outing was that once about unifying the group and about personal growth. Amazing to see how each Explorer problem solved in a slightly different way. We all became very thankful for a dry day when depending on these wonderful sandstone formations.

More obstacles presented themselves throughout the day. There were approximately five major elements that demanded the group attention as we proceeded through them one by one. At one point we even found the need to set up a backpack train. So often, these situations where right over waist or chest deep ocean water.

But the day was not entirely obstacles. There was plenty of discovery and exploration to be had. Sunstars, seastars, hooded nudibranchs, a seal carcass, sea snails, anemones, otter scat, shorebirds, sandstone caves, giant coastal trees, and more peppered our adventure. We did manage to fit in a few games of Hide along the way. We stopped for lunch and Matt told a story that illustrated the necessity of sticking together. At times we took a moment to just enjoy the amazing landscape nearly in our backyards.

The last challenge of the day came as the tide was quickly closed in. We had a final scramble up a waterfall! The Red Tailed Eyas lined up and made their final push toward higher ground. Success!  We ended up on a beautiful Rocky outcropping at the end of a trail that led directly to the Clayton Beach parking lot. We gave a big cheer to recognize everyone's individual accomplishments and our accomplishment as a group. Then we trudged on. The timing could not have been more perfect. We had just enough time to have a final circle meeting at the base of the stairs by the Clayton Beach parking lot. We shared apples, gave thanks, and shared one challenge that we rose to.  A great final offering. Excellent work, Red Tailed Eyas. It is an honor to explore with you. Thank you so much parents for all your enduring support.

Don't forget to check out pics from the outing in our photo gallery.

Stewardship Exploration with the Red-Tailed Eyas

The long string of high pressure summery and sunny days had come to an end this Sunday, and, as we gathered on the lawn by the auditorium, the familiar Pacific NW raingear was donned.  Explorers were ready for the familiar greys above and the spatterings of rain that we all know and love so well.  Let it be known that we are all natural animals and the changes in pressure and environment are changes in ourselves.  This outing, from the get-go was low pressure!  Explorers sauntered in, gathered and sat, lackadaisically played a game of Hide or two, and causally poked around the area with little interest in straying far.

As is often the case, the opening meeting emerged out of a genuinely curious investigation of horsetail.  Some Explorers shared that horsetail was once quite large.  In fact, it is believed that these vascular spore plants were once over 100’ tall and created ancient forests.  We took a look at a comparable tree in order to truly admire the magnitude of such a plant.  A bearded guy who was not Dave kept guiding the group with some fantastic mentoring insights.  Some knew him, but others did not.  We introduced ourselves and learned that this mentor was in fact Drew Butler, one of the founders of Boys Explorers Club.  Drew came to guest mentor for an outing, and we were all very lucky to have him along.

We circled up and distributed jobs amongst the group.  We then decided to start off the day with a little snack in the amphitheater.  The first order of business, before lunches were out, was to look for life.  What lives on that hunk of concrete?  Tiny mosses, spiders, mites, and a swallow’s nest composed the quick list.  Good to know that life is abundant, and almost everywhere we walk, we are walking in or on something’s home.  As lunches came out, we talked about service, plants, and the definition of a weed.

It turned out that for service on this day, we had adapt to our situation.  The plantings had not arrived for the State Parks, so this outing became a service exploration.  We got to look into what it means to serve as you explore, and to keep our eyes out for ways to serve wherever we are.  As for a weed, we had many varying definitions.  We took the time to work our way through each, and to clarify some possible confusion by thinking it through.  This Explorer is partial to the definition of a young explorer in the group, “a weed is a matter of opinion.”

As we finished up snack, Drew pulled out his carvings to share with the group.  It turns out he is a highly skilled carver, and many of the pieces were sources of inspiration to all.  He also showed the next steps, including using Chuckanut sandstone, horsetail (yes, our wonderful equisetum can actually be used as a fine sandpaper), and a burnishing rock (to finish the piece off.)  Explorers will reach these steps soon enough.

As we all finished and packed up, a navigational challenge was before us.  Can Explorers find the way to where we pulled ivy the last time.  After some debate and some problem solving, they did wonderfully.  On the way up, we met a “weed” called dandelion, and started to learn a little more about this ubiquitous superfood and medicine.  We examined some look-alikes, and started to consider the way the plant world shows variation.  We discovered a few invasives along the way: mostly ivy and holly, and began our service exploring.

Explorers performed a few “service explosions” where they scrambled to collect as much ivy as they could within a time limit.  We also metOregon grape and considered the differences between this plant and ivy.  It was becoming evident that knowledge is a form of service.  If we know, then we can act well and efficiently.

We found our old pulling site and admired its health.  We also recognized that there was more to do further down the slope.  Explorers took to it and it was an ivy pulling fest!  See the pics for details.  We worked in pairs, solo, teams, and as a whole group.  It flowed as needs arose and curiosity guided.  After a good push and a decent haul, we decided to take a break, get some water, and continue the service exploration.

Explorers and the day were still low pressure, so our hike down the trail was at a mellow pace.  This turned into a tour of service, where we admired trail work done by other Explorers Club groups identified other potential service opportunities, and admired a bridge built by an Explorers Club group.  We also noted the health of this patch of forest and realized that many people performing service over time results in healthy land that does not need much maintenance.

Near the end of the day, we settled down to eat and whittle.  We had a closing meeting where we appreciated the day, service, and Mothers!  On the way back, Drew challenged the group with a quick camouflage gauntlet, which kept our eyes sharp while we navigated the trail.  Much thanks to all the Explorers for your wonderful service, your abundant curiosity, and your spirit of exploration.  Much thanks to all parents for you enduring support.

Don’t forget to check out pics from the outing on our photo gallery.

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Foundations of Service with the Red-Tailed Eyas

If we had to name three pillars of Explorers’ Club and of Wild Whatcom as a whole, they would be Exploration, Service, and Connection.  Service is at the foundation of all our work.  So, it was a great honor and privilege to greet the Red-Tailed Eyas and to welcome them into our tradition of serving.  These Explorers took to it like morning sun star (Solaster dawsoni) to water.

We began with a little mixer and review of our first skill of camouflage.  A few games of hide with an added twist and in a different location.  Explorers considered what worked in this place and why.  Then we came together and recognized some new faces.  We met Explorers’ Club mentor, Jon-Erik, and Explorers’ Mentoring Apprentice, Kyler, and decided it would be good to teach them our names.  We had another round of name game, but this had a new twist as well.  Do any Explorers remember the names of the animals their friends chose?

After few rounds with plenty of running and laughter, we decided to head up to the stage, have some lunch, and put our minds towards the day.  Service at Larrabee Park.  We took a few moments to consider who lives in this place.  We even recognized, by looking around, that we were right under a bird’s nest.  We then asked the question, do any of these beings ever give us anything?  Answers came flying forth from Explorers: oxygen, food, fun, beauty, wonder, etc.  We then asked what we, as individuals give.  Have we ever given anyone a present?  How did it feel?  Slowly, as we munched away and occasionally got distracted by the train or a passing flock of birds, we unfolded a little story of how everything is connected here, and how we depend on giving.

We then talked about ivy.  Is ivy bad and evil or is it out of balance in this place?  This is a big thought to unpack, and will take many outings to fully process this (maybe many lifetimes), but this Saturday was the day for laying foundations.  So we began this process.

With our food in our bellies and a better idea of what ivy is, what it does, where it grows, and how we can help restore balance by pulling it, we decided it was time for action.  On we went: up the hill and away.  Of course, it wouldn’t be Explorers’ Club if a few games of Hide weren’t called while we walked.  Soon enough, though, we came to a big pile of ivy left from our last group.  We told the story of how this hill looked when Kyler, who was there when Explorers’ Club first started, first came to it.  It was so covered in ivy that we didn’t even know there were rocks and other plants under it.  But now, after many groups have done service there, it is a place that can breathe again.  The few remaining native plants just seem relieved, and the soil seems ready for new seeds.

With enough talking, it was time for work.  We got right down to the business of pulling.  We yanked and tugged and learned new techniques along the way.  We definitely learned the power of many hands together.  Some of those vines were impossible to dislodge with one person, but with all of us together, they eventually came free.  Groans, laughter, panting, playing, and piling up a mass of those green invasives made for a good day’s work.  Check out the video below to see just a part of our “ivy train” at the end of the day.  Check out the pics to see just how much we went through.

Once we had spent ourselves, we realized that there was still time for exploration and enjoyment of this landscape.  It is important, actually vital, once you have served something or someone, to step back and just appreciate.  To celebrate that place or person for who they are and not fix or do anything.  So, we rambled down to the ocean and just enjoyed it.  We scrambled on the rocks and ogled at the wide sea.  Before we knew it, it was time for the final meeting and aCircle of Thanks.  Thanks is a great way to begin and end every day and every endeavor.

So, thank you, Explorers, for a wonderful outing and great service.  Thank you, Larrabee, for being one of the most amazing and inspiring natural communities in our area. Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support.

Don’t forget to check out pics of our outing in the photo gallery.