Campers rose early to catch the sunrise this morning. We walked through the tideflats at Dosewallips State Park to get a good view.
There is a happening that takes place every morning with the sunrise. I'd heard about it during a campfire story some time ago. I later read about it as I was exploring ways to understand my local landscape more.
I experienced it one morning, and haven't ever been the same since. - Dan
At least once during each Salmon Camp, I invite the campers on a pre-dawn walk to the place we can watch the sunrise on the horizon. In the darkness, the 'new' campers think it is an involuntary death march... as how could someone be so cruel. The others know. Without words we walk single file to a place where we can be still with a clear view facing east. The earlier we can get there the better, as we don't want to disturb the cool, quiet around us. If we're not quiet enough, the Great blue heron will squawk its protest and we will have compromised our experience. But if we're quiet enough, the 'happening' happens.
As we quietly settle in the low light, we start to see squirts of bird movements from the corner of our eyes. "What was that?" "shhh." Just as we positioned ourselves for a view of the sunrise, you get the sense many of the birds are waking and quietly flitting to do the same.
The sky is becoming incrementally lighter, and with each moment you're more sure of the spot where the sun will rise. Since the sleepies are still clouding the minds of the campers, they don't figet much. From under their hoodies and blanket wraps they all seemed focused on that spot on the horizon. The flitting movements of the birds picks up a bit, and to the campers it now seems as an acceptable part of the moment.
Finally, the sun breaks over the horizon. In that instant several Bald eagles, as if magically materialized in the root wad on the beach in front of us, scream a series of descenting chirps. Other birds call out and we recognize the 'Dawn Chorus' of the bird world is playing out in front of us. It is as if the birds are offering a thanks to the new day.
Finally, the sun breaks over the horizon. In that instant several Bald eagles, as if magically materialized in the root wad on the beach in front of us, scream a series of descenting chirps. Other birds call out and we recognize the 'Dawn Chorus' of the bird world is playing out in front of us. It is as if the birds are offering a thanks to the new day.
This happens every day. This happens at each place on the earth in the moments the sun rises above the horizon. If you think about it, the Dawn Chorus is essentially a wave a thankfulness which sweeps the globe continuously. We happened to be a part of the Dawn Chorus on this particular day at this particular spot. - Dan
Ariel pulled a few campers aside for some morning yoga as they continued to wake up.
Later that morning we explored the tideflats at low tide and make lots of discoveries! Lots of seals swim at the mouth of the Dosewallips River and hang out in the estuary as the tides come in and out. We saw a baby seal waiting for it's mom to return in the tall grasses along the river. Many tracks were along the beaches...bird tracks, coyote, and others we didn't identify. Jamin found a skull of a seal, and others found various parts of the skeleton.
Others walked really far out the tideflats while some stayed back and buried Raven in the sand.
As the day got warmer, we made a detour to Rocky Brook Falls in Brinnon. Everyone enjoyed the cold, deep pool below the falls. It was a popular swimhole on such a hot day! We brought our AquaScopes and snorkeling gear to see the fish and to dive for lost treasures at the bottom of the pool.
It was an entertaining game and in the end it was trout 1; campers 0
We made our way to Falls View to camp for the night. After setting up camp, most of the campers went on a walk to see the falls. Later that evening the counselors took them on an evening walk where they thought they encountered a bear, but it turned out to just be a fence. ;) 
Everyone pitched in and made kabobs over the fire and banana boats for dessert!
Smokey the bear has recently been replaced by Old Man Mossybeard (pictured right in a pink tank top). Old Man Mossybeard's take on preventing forest fires is a little more aggressive- but certainly effective as we did not have any issues in that department.
Once we leave a campsite, camp staff go through one last time to make sure we don't forget anything. Often enough we find someone's belongings left behind. It's a well-known camp tradition that campers have to dance to the drum around the campfire that night to reclaim their belongings. The 'better' the item, the more intricate the dance. Conner impressed us all with his dance moves! That kid is good for entertaining! I'll have to ask him if he'll let us put the video on YouTube!
Salmon Camper quotes & inside jokes:
Connor is working it… Georgette
Yeah, he is like get my good side -Tommy
My hands are so dirty – Ariel
I have not even said a single weapon today –Connor
You go to school in your swimsuit -Dan (to Katie)
At Rocky Brook waterfall when Connor saw the falls for the first time, He said “This would make an excellent backdrop for a video game!" -Renee
"Boy scouts sprawled out on the green
Lying flat on their stomachs
Asleep in the sun" -kim
"Empty is my mind
A mouthful of raw onions
Boys Scouts in the sun" -Ariel
The boy scouts kayaks have an odor when I am strolling by…
Could it be stinky socks and the sea? -kim
Jeremiah carried me back all the way from the river -Raven
My arms hurt so bad right now. Oh my back hurts so bad. Oh my arms, oh my gosh. Oh where is my water bottle? Where is Katie? Can you put this on the table for me? Awwww, owwww, ahhhh, owww, ohhh… - Jeremiah (after carry Raven)
You almost peed on yourself twice … Logan
And Logan only had to use my fork once.
He thought it was a bear but it was only a fence - Raven
