Outing to Point Whitehorn: 6-5-16

After receiving nettle we had harvested almost a year ago, we piled onto the new bus, Merkel, to reacquaint ourselves to the practice of making nettle cordage and to each other, since we missed many members of our group at the last outing.  Stories and laughter rang out as we headed north towards Pt. 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. 

* Remembering our last outing to this area, and all the stakeholders and impacts on Cherry Point waters: the farmers upstream (manure and pesticides); the nearby houses that impact waters with dogs, fertilizers, car washing and oil changes; the salmon, herring, orcas, and myriad birds; the proposed shipping terminal; the refinery; AlCOA smelter; fishermen, and more. 

* 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, but feeling hopeful for its saplings that now grow where it was felled). 

* Learning about the importance of diversity, in life and in forest ecosystems. Seeking and finding biodiversity in this sitka spruce forest (the plant list we brought along was an indicator that there's a lot growing here!).

* Finding and eating handfuls and handfuls of salmonberries!

* Arriving at the beach and exploring widely: exploring in the water, discovering what was just below the surface, investigating tidepools, burying each other in the sand, creating sand channels, finding a whale bone(!) catching flounders, and completing the log walk challenge! It was so nice to see all the Dragonflies completely engaged in play (play is so healthy for this age!) led by their curiosity and exploring spirits. 

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

* Completing a [Kinda] Peaceful Place on a now crowded beach!

*Gathering for an extended Closing Circle that included that an insightful and engaging discussion on Multiple Intelligence Theory, which emphasizes that there is more than one way to be smart.  We all agreed though that smart Explorers help each other to recognize and build on their 'intelligences'!

Using our legs to create
the Web of Life!

*Reflecting on the connections we made with nature, the community, and one another, we closed our day and the spring season by building the Web of Life, celebrating our motto All Things Are Connected as we wove the web.  The Dragonflies web was very unique though as we used our legs to represent the forgotten ball of string to form the web.  We discussed the human actions that make the web weaker (like oil spills, overfishing, clearcuts) and reflected on what makes the web of life stronger (ocean clean-ups, selective logging, planting native plants, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and so much more).  We celebrated our role as explorers who are working together to strengthen the Web of Life.

* Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude on the bus. So much to be thankful for: the sun, the sea, crabs, flounders, driftwood, nettle, one another, the land trust, family, rocks, nature's calming medicine. 

Attempting the Log Walk Challenge
(using only the driftwood to traverse the beach)!

* We returned back to our starting point with the understanding that our group may not look the same come Fall 2015, due to a variety of commitments, and expressed that GEC is Challenge By Choice – though we'd love to see this group stay the same, we want to honor each girl for choosing how she spends her time. 

For the rest of the story, check out the slideshow!

Our Words of the Day: Salish sea, sand, logs. Turning Problems Into Possibilities!

EC Mottos especially in use today:

* Safety First

* Turn Problems Into Possibilities

* Attitude of Gratitude

* All Things Are Connected

* Be Here Now

* Expect the Unexpected