Heavy rainfall and high winds are characteristic of the fall season here in Bellingham, and we have certainly seen our fair share of it this autumn. Indeed, the weather can change dramatically from one hour to the next. Of course, we welcome this much-needed moisture as we recover from an unusually dry summer here in the Pacific Northwest, however, it does bring with it some challenges.
The forecast for the day of our exploration included the possibility of high winds and heavy rainfall. Therefore, our opening circle was centered on a discussion of what kind of hazards high winds and rains bring to the forest how to survive in this kind of weather. We reminded ourselves to be on the look out for widow makers. We also discovered later in the day how to find dry wood in a forest that seems completely soaked. We decided that if it got too windy in Arroyo Park, we would head to Fairhaven Park and play games in the open field.
After our opening circle we made our way down to the foot bridge that crosses Chuckanut Creek where we met Hunter who was showing up a little later than the rest of us. We were grateful that Hunter got to join us for the rest of the exploration; it is always more fun to explore with ALL of the Black Tailed Deer! Here we got to explore the creek for a while. We discovered how slippery some rocks and logs can be and some of us ended up getting a little more wet than we intended. This allowed for important lessons about clothing and reiterated how cold wet, cotton fabrics can make you. We discovered the advantages if synthetic materials that dry quickly and wool that still keeps you warm even when it is soaked!
Steve pointed out an American Dipper and we got to see how it ‘dances’ as it hops and flies from creek boulder to creek boulder. We even got to see it take a bath! We knew that this was the season for chum salmon and we kept an eye out for these important fish for the rest of the day.
We meandered along the trail that follows Chuckanut creek upstream and played a few fun games of hide along the way. We got to an amazing fallen old growth cedar tree that had become a bridge across the creek. As we crossed the log, the new vantage point enabled us to see into the stream more clearly (think of an eagle that searches for fish high above the water’s surface) and we got to see some chum salmon coming up the creek! As a group, we watched them make their way through the swift current to find a good place to spawn. Watching these salmon undertake such a difficult task at the very end of their lives was quite exciting and inspiring!
The forecast for the day of our exploration included the possibility of high winds and heavy rainfall. Therefore, our opening circle was centered on a discussion of what kind of hazards high winds and rains bring to the forest how to survive in this kind of weather. We reminded ourselves to be on the look out for widow makers. We also discovered later in the day how to find dry wood in a forest that seems completely soaked. We decided that if it got too windy in Arroyo Park, we would head to Fairhaven Park and play games in the open field.
After our opening circle we made our way down to the foot bridge that crosses Chuckanut Creek where we met Hunter who was showing up a little later than the rest of us. We were grateful that Hunter got to join us for the rest of the exploration; it is always more fun to explore with ALL of the Black Tailed Deer! Here we got to explore the creek for a while. We discovered how slippery some rocks and logs can be and some of us ended up getting a little more wet than we intended. This allowed for important lessons about clothing and reiterated how cold wet, cotton fabrics can make you. We discovered the advantages if synthetic materials that dry quickly and wool that still keeps you warm even when it is soaked!
Steve pointed out an American Dipper and we got to see how it ‘dances’ as it hops and flies from creek boulder to creek boulder. We even got to see it take a bath! We knew that this was the season for chum salmon and we kept an eye out for these important fish for the rest of the day.
We meandered along the trail that follows Chuckanut creek upstream and played a few fun games of hide along the way. We got to an amazing fallen old growth cedar tree that had become a bridge across the creek. As we crossed the log, the new vantage point enabled us to see into the stream more clearly (think of an eagle that searches for fish high above the water’s surface) and we got to see some chum salmon coming up the creek! As a group, we watched them make their way through the swift current to find a good place to spawn. Watching these salmon undertake such a difficult task at the very end of their lives was quite exciting and inspiring!
We then made our way back toward N. Chuckanut trailhead to meet our parents at the cars. Along the way we got to stop at Cougar Rock, described by one of our own Black Tailed Deer as, “a nature made playground,” and it certainly was. We scampered up and down the large rock that we learned was put there thousands of years ago by a glacier.
Luckily, the forecasted wind never came and we were able to spend the whole day in this magical gorge. Seeing the salmon was a great surprise and we got to spend lots of time following our natural urge to play in these woods that we are so lucky to call our backyard.
Luckily, the forecasted wind never came and we were able to spend the whole day in this magical gorge. Seeing the salmon was a great surprise and we got to spend lots of time following our natural urge to play in these woods that we are so lucky to call our backyard.
