Kids, Beach and Sun – Green Trip

I had a lot of people asking me about the retreat I went on with the kids last week, so I decided to post my write-up that I submitted for extra-credit in Geosystems, and that I'll be sending to the Whitehorse News (our local paper). Enjoy!

Darrington 6^th Grade Ecology Retreat

The WSU stewards had the Darrington 6^th graders busy upon their arrival at Cama Beach on Thursday, May 21. The theme of the day was Cama Beach Survivor, and the kids began their journey by backpacking their bags and gear a half mile to the camp. Lunch was served quickly, and a get-to-know-you game was played so the kids could become familiar with the chaperones, park employees, and WSU/EdCC stewards.

We immediately set out to the beach to learn beach etiquette and to learn what kinds of flora and fauna were in the different tidal areas, and what the kids could survive on. They learned what different kinds of marine life there were and where they could find them, and were even taught about Pacific Shellfish Paralytic Syndrome. My group walked far up the beach, and ran across a creek feeding into the sound. With some coaching from Ms. Lester and me, the girls decided this was where they would build their virtual shelter.

After beach combing, we were directed into the Center for Wooden Boats where the kids learned the different kinds of wooden boats they could build without power tools. They explored hand-made dingies, kayaks and cedar canoes. We also watched the boat builders work for a while.

Next we hiked back up the hill into the forest area of the park with Franny from the Stilly Tribe, and Mike, a WSU forester. The kids learned about different kinds of forest disturbances, which the "Loggers" were quite familiar with, and the progression of reforestation. They cored a Douglas fir that was over 80 years old, and were taught the difference between shade intolerant and shade tolerant trees, and how they progressively grow as the forest grows. We continued hiking a forest trail as Franny went over the underbrush. She showed the kids what was edible, and what was poisonous, and later at camp made teas and jellies from local flora for us to sample.
While the kids were waiting for dinner, they assembled into their cabin teams to play Cama Beach Survivor with the new knowledge they had from the day's activities. They were allowed 5 questions for the "experts" and our girls eventually tied for 3^rd, defeated only by two groups of boys that were avid hunters. The day wound down with dinner and free time and smores around the campfire and beach. Many of the kids had never been to the beach before, and most had never seen a sunset over the beach. They were mesmerized, and broke out the cameras and cell phones to take pictures.

Examining a shell full of muscles

Searching the intertidal zone



Coring a Douglas Fir

Kayak building without power tools

Survivor Camas Island team presentations



Sunset at the beach

The next morning after an early breakfast, we were split into two large groups for alternating projects. I was glad our group got to go low-tide beach collecting first, because it was the actual time for the lowest tide of the day. The kids had ten minutes to explore the high and intertidal zones of the beach and carefully remove live specimens to the WSU Beach Watchers who had tanks waiting. After ten minutes, the whistle blew and the kids ran down to the low tidal zone and standing tidal pools.

The kids carefully removed moon snails, gooey ducks, ludibrae and their slimy eggs, herring eggs (which were not removed), scallops, welchs, polychites, sea stars, anemones and sea urchins along with a special ice cream cone worm find. After the collection, the WSU Beach Watchers gave a lesson on all the specimins the kids found, and how they specifically fit into the ecosystem at Cama Beach.

After a quick hand washing and snack break, the groups switched places and our group hiked up the hill into the forest with Head Ranger Teri. We were given a brief history of the State's development of the terraced parking lots along the hill. When they were made, the land was completely cleared, and a large amount of dirt was removed. The state contracted landscapers to "reforest" the areas between the lots. The landscapers used native trees, but tied them to cedar stakes using large, black plastic zip ties that were about an inch wide.

Many of the trees had begun growing bark around the plastic ties, and so we were given the mission to save those juvenile pines, cedars and maples. Each group was given a pair of clippers and set out up the hill which contained 6 terraced lots. I was happy I had a pair of work gloves in my pack, because many of the trees we found were behind nettles and black berries, and were in trouble despite the plastic ties. All-in-all our 6 person group saved 5 trees.

We had a long lunch when we arrived back at camp, and closed the retreat with a circle of trust that we had to link to the circle of the beach and hill's ecosystem. The kids each had a favorite part of the weekend, and they all said they had a great time. This retreat was the conclusion of a year-long program sponsored by WSU and its affiliates, that linked all of their previous lessons and activities.



Careful collection of a star fish

Observing one tank of low tidal creatures

A lesson from WSU Beach Watchers

Ranger Teri gives us our mission

I saved the 4^th tree

The end of the mission

Final Lap - Losing Steam

Life has been full of work lately, as there is no rest for this weary soul until June. I actually have to try and get ahead in my homework, as I've committed myself to the Darrington 6th grade Ecology Retreat. We are leaving Thursday morning and returning Friday afternoon with 2 days full of forestry, beach cleaning and wetland studies on Camano Island. This time, as a volunteer, I get to sleep in a bed, and not on the floor.

The kids all have projects due at the same time in two weeks, right during dead week. This should be interesting. We have found some cool things while researching Tay's family tree project. My great-grandparents from Seattle were major developers during the turn of the 20th century. I had no idea how many neighborhoods, apartment buildings and hotels they built, that are still around. I'll post more about it when we get it all compiled.

I just saw a story on a 66 year old that it due to give birth in a month. You have to ask yourself, how many of these older women having babies are just looking for someone to take care of them when they start falling apart. What a life for a teenager - wiping your parent's nether-regions, constantly running them to doctor's and physical therapy appointments, and staying home everynight in case they fall. It was bad enough being a teenager while you mom's in full menopause. Seriously - grandmas - don't have babies.

What a Face to Wake Up To

Shame on CBS for polluting my Mother's Day morning with Dick Cheney of all people. The Republicans can't understand why they are a dying party? Here's a hint: stop letting Darth Vader go on television to tell boogeyman stories of people with different religions from different parts of the world. He actually said he would rather have a hate-mongering, drug-addict speak for the party, a.k.a. Rush (OxyContin) Limbaugh than a war-proven general, Colin Powell. Lions for Lambs anyone?

I saw a newspiece on the Saudi Arabian plan for Guantanamo prisoners that return to their country on CBS none-the-less last week. They try to assimilate them into the Western society as quickly as possible by buying them a car, a house, and providing them with a job. So far, they have a 90% success rate. These men actually realize that they were duped by a fanatical side of their religion. Let's let the experts - the military - run this now, and leave the Lambs out of it.

The Republicans will not have their party grow until they become inclusionary and not exclusionary. Listen to kids like Megan McCain, and you might grow again. More on that later...

Had a great Mom's Day despite working. Tay won her game on Saturday, and we hiked the new trail with the dogs after the kids split for their friend's houses. The hubby made me a great dinner, right down to the Almond - Soy Asian salad. Now it's back to crunch time.

Hybrid Perks - Fords Rock

I got the dirtiest look from a Prius owner yesterday when I pulled up next to her in the school parking lot. One of the awesome perks of having a Hybrid is that there are 10 parking spots reserved just for Hybrids now so I don't have to huff it up the hill anymore. As I got out of my car, she rolled down her window and said, "You know, these spots are only for Hybrids."

Since I'm such a smart-ass at heart, I replied, "You know, to graduate from college, you have to know how to read." Then I pointed down to my car door where it says Hybrid. In fact, it's on both doors and the tailgate. Then I looked around and realized the Escape looked huge - it was surrounded by Priuses and Hybric Civics.

I'm still totally loving this car, even though I once swore I would never drive a Ford. It's been a great commuter for the last 2 years, and the year we bought it, we got an awesome tax deduction, in fact it was equal to the child tax credit. That was under the Bush administration, and now, the Obama administration is giving an even bigger tax cut to Hybrid buyers.

If you're thinking about buying one in the future, I really recommend the Ford line of Hybrids. The Escape Hybrid is the most reliable car I've ever owned, and I really like the new Focus Hybrid. Not only are you helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, but you are supporting and American company and American workers when you buy a Ford Hybrid.

What's my favorite perk you ask? Well that would be coffee. Haha.

Missing: Small, Green and Cute

I feel like I'm missing out on a lot lately, because of school and work. My employer has been more than kind scheduling around my school schedule and T's Saturday volleyball games, but there are so many things I can't attend. I haven't been able to do any Darrington Improvement Club projects this year, I'm missing a Green Day concert because of MIL's 60^th b-day, also missing ACDC because of a pre-planned family vacation, and what hurts the most? I'm missing Northwest Frog Fest this Saturday.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I have always loved frogs, and always will. Northwest Frog Fest features frogs from around the world, and even has non-poisonous dart frogs to handle. Do you know how long I've always wanted to hold a little dart frog? They are so cute!

Many people are unaware of it, but we are witnessing a mass extinction of amphibians around the world. In the last decade, we've lost hundreds of species to extinction. What's killing them? Well, it is an amphibian fungus much like the bee fungus, but it is brought on by human development. Worldwide, streams are being tapped for human water consumption, and construction run-off is also clogging ponds and streams, encouraging the growth of the fungi spores.

I hate to say it, but I don't think this is reversible, and I really think I will see the extinction of my favorite animal in my lifetime. So love your frogs while you have them.

Speaking of extinction, I think the trees have it out for me. I'm on every allergy and asthma medicine possible, and still I'm sick. It's one of those days where if I didn't have kids that need stuff all the time, I'd take a few sick days off. But, unfortunately I can't. I really can't wait to see how many customers avoid me because of the swine flu. I swear it's allergies people – I've been feeling bad for weeks.

I really hope they get a handle on the swine flu, though. We've had so many midnight trips to the ER because of the youngest's asthma, it would be devastating to him if he got a flu like this one. But really, what can you do? It's a virus. My great-uncle died when he was just 15 from the Spanish flu in 1918, and he was completely healthy. It's crazy how the smallest living organisms on Earth are the most devastating to the most advanced living organisms on Earth.

All I have to say is wash your hands people. And for dog's sake – DON'T COUGH ON YOUR PRESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU HAND IT IN! GROSS!