Day 5 - Saturday, August 18, 2012

Adventure Salmon Camp - Overnight 2012
Last Day!

It was fun to wake up this morning surrounded by everyone!

This morning Ariel (camp kitchen staff and also a college student at Bastyr who has a lot of native plant knowledge) took the campers into the forest and they all scavenged for tea leaves, which they threw into a pot and cooked over the fire.  Their tea was shared later that day at the family lunch.

Before leaving the Dewatto River, Raven and Conner gathered everyone together to sing "Down by the Bay".  Raven and Conner had composed lines for each person to sing.  We'll try to post this on YouTube.

On our way back to Belfair, we stopped at the Union River Adult Salmon trap to view the summer chum currently running up the stream.  The trap is monitored 24-7 by volunteers who handle and identify the fish as they pass through the trap.

At our closing ceremonies each year, campers share their experiences from the week so parents can hear about what they were up to from their perspectives and get the run down on the Elk and Wolf game from each camper. 

Campers and their families came together for lunch and then said their good-byes until next year.



Day 4 - Friday, August 17, 2012

We awoke this morning to find our soot trays (for animal tracking) were covered with small critter tracks.  Dan had also put orange fluoresent tracking powder near the soot trays which glows under a blacklight.  We were able to use our blacklight flashlight to follow the tracks through the forest and were surprised to find the tracks of our animals so connected to the downed logs and the lower part of the trees around our campsite. 

Our journey continues and we left the west-side of the Canal and drove over the Hood Canal floating bridge.  Our next stop was a tour at the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe.  We met with Jennifer and her daughter Dawn who are both native, but Dawn's generation has had the opportunity to get immersed in their culture and learn their native language, songs, etc. They both shared with us a bit about the PG S'Klallam culture, history, language, this year's canoe journey, and we were fortunate to get a tour of their longhouse and cultural center.

As we drove through Seabeck, we waved to Brandon's house as we passed by.

After lunch we set up camp along the Dewatto River and searched the freshwater stream for streambugs such as caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent kayaking Dewatto Bay which feeds into Hood Canal.  The tide was out when we started and coming back in as we paddled.  We had an AquaScope that let us see more clearly what was under the water's surface and we saw some small fish swimming in the eelgrass.  We passed by the blue heron rookery and also saw a few eagles throughout the day.  We made our way up the Dewatto River until a log jam prevented us from going further, but it also made a really nice swim hole that we played around in for awhile.  I think this was a hottest day of the year, so we were greatful to be out in the woods and swimming in the refreshing waters!  Logan tipped Georgette's kayak over, Katie found a ton of feathers, and Miles lost a shoe in the mud - but Tommy was able to find it.  Everyone had a pretty fun time.

In the evening we roasted hot dogs over the fire and then Allie picked a bunch of blackberries which we used to make pies (with the pie irons) over the fire.

Conner and Raven worked on composing some songs and others stopped by to contribute.  Several people worked on their necklace pouches made of felted alpaca fiber before the sun went down.

That night everyone slept outside under the stars along the Dewatto River.

Day 3 - Thursday, August 16th, 2012

Overnight Adventure Salmon Camp 2012

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. 

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.

Some of the more resoureful campers rigged a 'catching device' and plunged into the pool with visions of capturing one of the Cutthroat trout. 

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:

You put mustard on me. –Jamin (said almost in a delightful tone to Brandon)

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

Day 2 - Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

sometime slightly prior to the sunrise....
In the field  just beyond the shadow of the tents, in the shadows of the forest, a female elk softly bugled an alarm call.
Our soft wanderings toward the edge of the forest to get a closer look didn’t fool the group of elk in the light of the dawn.

Now the trick was to remain still enough but still find a way to alert the others of the morning treat.

Logan was chosen to sneak back and waken the others still rustling in their sleeping bags.

He made it to the tents, but the following excitement was too much for the elk...our presence was revealed.
The elk skittered to the far edge of the field and disappeared in the shadows there.
As other campers melted into our ranks near our edge of the field, we could only silently looked across the field for the chance to glimpse the elk again.
The few early birds which saw the elk quietly recalled the experience to the bed-haired attention of the others

Part of our day:

• Compass/GPS activity about salmon life stages and migration

• Lunch and the elk calling in the distance

• Where Johns Creek and the Hamma Hamma converge

• Ocean Migration game

• The venture along the elk ‘highway’ into the forest.

• YOLO…

• Wolf/Elk game - a group predator-prey game where the wolf team 'hunts' down the elk herd.  This year we had two survivors!

• More s’mores

There was a Moon-phase challenge during the morning fire circle.
Much of the natural world is influenced by the Moon. Does anyone know the current phase of the Moon…? bonus points for the ‘age’ (in days, 0-28) of the Moon… is it waning or waxing?  So far no one has come up with the correct answer. Secret answer… the new Moon is Friday – day 28. Today, Thursday is a sliver of a waxing crescent.

The Blue Hole
The blue hole was beautiful as usual. Looking over the deep blue water from a high peek is amazing. The walk there and back is an adventure always worth going on. –Tommy S.

"Are we there yet." "Not yet."  "Is it really that cold?"  "You'll have to tell me what you think."
     - a camper that hadn't been to the Blue Hole yet.

Yesterday we all took part in a salmon survival game. We were partnered up and we had to follow a specific course in order for us to “survive”. The game involved GPS’s and compasses. I am proud to say that my partner, Laurel and I tied with Tommy and Jeremiah for first place! The game definitely gave me a better understanding of salmon. -Nancy

Yesterday was fun, we were playing the elk and wolf game, it was a lot of fun, then we had to pack up, and that took a long time. My favorite thing at salmon camp is the big blue hole. I love the big blue hole. It was so cold but it was still fun. Then we packed up and went to the dosewallips, and that’s where we are now. -Logan

Yesterday had been a good example of salmon camp. The blue hole was probably the best part of the day. We also played elk and wolves but I got tired and stopped playing half way through. Now we are at Dosewallips which is where I am writing this blog. –Miles

Yesterday was fun because we played elk and wolf game and I was one of last elk. Go raven!

We got chased by some wolfs and I jumped in the ferns, my shirt was the same color as the

ferns so no wolfs found me. Also yesterday we went to the blue hole. I was the first one in the

blue hole it was so cold and deep. I loved the blue hole. It’s so fun. Well now I must go. Good

bye. -Raven

Yummy Caesar salad by Georgette tonight… thank you Georgette

Pie Iron Pizzas around the fire. A little bit of sauce, a little pepperoni, a little bread… squeezed together with a pie iron, set in the fire, and toasted to perfection… while sometimes over perfection, but still good. They were quite tasty.

Oh what a clear night. Magnificent starry skies thru the treetops

… a zillion stars !!


The Coyote people were howling after midnight.

Day 1 - Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

Overnight Adventure Salmon Camp 2012

Our Journey today took us from the Salmon Center to the Hamma Hamma River.

Once again our opening circle brought to us a unique group blend and we found our way together to begin a new journey around the canal. Each year the new group of spirits sets the tone for camp, and each year is wonderfully different. As we mention in our opening circle, this group will likely not ever be together for an experience like Salmon Camp. This is our journey for the next four nights.

Today we went to the Skokomish River Watershed. It was like a big marsh or wetland. Seth, our guide, showed us some different plants and big birds like turkey vultures and bald eagles. When we got to the Robbin’s property on the Hamma Hamma River, we explored and set up our tents. We also went swimming in the river. It was so cold!!     -Laurel G.

Yesterday we went to an estuary that had been diked up for 60 years and they were trying to make it come back. Then we came to our campsite and setup and swam in the freezing cold Hamma Hamma River.      –Jamin

We got to our camp site and we set up, then explored and other went in the freezing water and we all just went back and forth across the river. –Brandon

Good morning! Just woke up to the sound of various noises. First, Dan going around with his drum at six in the morning, giving us the option of going out to watch the sunrise. I passed. Eventually I woke up! Last night we set out some soot trays and this morning we were rewarded with various animal tracks. Looking forward to today’s adventure, who knows what we are going to do next… -Nancy

Yesterday we went to Skokomish River watershed; it was cool. We got to camp and set up our camp; we ate and went swimming. Yeah woo hoo! good bye -Raven

We went to visit the Skokomish Nation’s lands today. We followed our guide, Seth Books, down several long forested roads and thru a gate to reach the Estuary of the Skokomish River, the largest river in Hood Canal. Seth talked to us about the Estuary Restoration project that has been ongoing for the past few years. This project involves extensive dike removals which allow for the return of historic tidal channels that have been blocked for decades. Unlocking these channels not only helps salmon habitat; it helps the Skokomish people reconnect to aspects of their culture that was diminished when the dikes were placed in the delta in order to make farmable land.  The farms have since become defunct, but the dikes had remained continued to impede the function of the saltmarsh. Since the dikes have been removed, an example of revival is the return of sweetgrass or three stem bulrush, a saltwater native plant used by the tribe for basket weaving.

Seth talked to us about the various plant communities and the return of salt marsh communities to this delta region. He pointed out the freshwater plant communities and the salt water plant communities and the work being done to map them. As we walked, he talked to us about plants we 'met' and about their various properties. We tasted pickleweed and enjoyed its mild flavor of the sea. He told us so many interesting things; I wish I could remember everything. Here are a few highlights.

I am so glad to know now that the wavy shimmer in the water on the canal is the saltwater and fresh water mixing. Seth brought chemistry into his talk while we observed different channels in the delta, from rust colored algae and why it exists in low oxygen environments to oil slick-like sheens on the water which are not really oil but a microbial buffet of manganese. If an oily sheen on the water breaks up when touched it is okay and a natural process; if it was oil it would meld back together since oil slicks strive to stay together. We learned that the entire estuarine environment is always in a state of flux and that the Skokomish Estuary is the largest estuary in the Hood Canal watershed and The Skokomish River is the largest freshwater source to Hood Canal. This estuary is also a migratory bird path and the location of Lucky Dog fault, the spot where a series of major earthquakes occurred sometime during the middle of the 17th century. Seth shared so much of his knowledge with us.  We are grateful to have been invited to this watershed. -kim

Raven croaking

Crow cawing

Bird shadows on the ground

Turkey vultures circling
Bald eagles in the sky
Shorebirds flying by on an incoming tide


A dusty feathery fluff ball filled with cherry pits..
Is it an owl pellet Dan? No…..
Maybe it is a turkey vultures errrrp ewe….


While looking intently across the expanse of the estuary restoration a large shadow flashed across our faces. We instinctively and simultaneously looked to the source and found our eyes momentarily struck with the brightness of the sun. A more few seconds and a few more squints allowed use to make out a large soaring bird high in the sky. It was hard to tell in that moment, but we did eventually see Turkey vultures, Bald eagles, Great blue herons, and some hawk-looking bird… all good sightings.

Someone counted eight Turkey vultures circling on the thermals of the Skokomish estuary area… it seemed one came close enough to check out if the lagging, sleepy-looking campers would potentially be on the menu later.

Seth pointed out a flock of shorebirds flying in a zigzag synchrony… light side, dark side, light side… dang how do they do that. He has been monitoring the estuary for a long time and has observed their presence in the estuary has been an indicator for him of an incoming tide… cool.  - Dan

Blow up a culvert for NATURE!!! -Ariel

The quick ice cream stop at Potlatch State Park was gooood.