Vespula Veterans Explore North Lake Samish

Exploring in late fall sunshine is always a tremendous gift.  The low arc the sun cuts through the sky creates deep dramatic shadows and the cold air urges the birds to forage and they rove the forests in conspicuous chattering flocks.  In this warming sunshine the boys gathered at North Lake Samish Trailhead eager to explore a new location.

We all basked in the sunlight for our opening circle hearing stories about the younger explorers from the Vespula Veterans who ventured out to EMA.  It was a perfect time to remind the boys how far they have come in their Explorer’s Club journey.  Steve and Greg shared the loose plan for the day, which was three part: 1. Explore the new territory, 2. Play a couple of games, 3. Hold a strong closing circle for the season-preferably around a fire.  The boys weighed in with specific game suggestions and a desire to practice their fire building skills as well.

The Vespula started up the trail from following it’s steep switchbacks that cut across a set of power lines and their clearing.  Eventually we simply left the trail and headed straight up following the power lines and quickly gaining the top of the hill where we met with the cold wind that was keeping the sky clear and the air cold.

Once on the top we headed out of the clearing and into the woods seeking out some places for playing games.  We invented a complicated version of Hide! and checked out the difference between a stump cut with a chain saw and those cut with a crosscut saw and axes, which helped us gauge how old the trees were in the grove that we were playing in.  After a quick lunch we headed over to another part of the forest that was lush with ferns and played a game of Spider’s web.  While the boys set up the game, Steve and Greg prepared a spot to hold closing meeting.  With care we peeled off the layer of moss that covered an old road grade, set it aside and dug through the duff until we reached the cool damp clay soil.  This would be where our fire would be built, and in this way we could return the spot to as close to we found it and not leave a huge scarred and charred hole from our fire.

In order to have a fire at closing circle Steve and Greg challenged the boys to a fire-building contest with our ignition tool being waterproof windproof matches.  The Vespula Veterans scrambled around quickly looking for bits of dry anything.  Steve and Greg utilized those incredibly dependable hemlock trees for their dry lower branches and a bit of fatwood from a nearby stump.  Mentors won that round, but it will be stiff competition next time.

As the boys fanned out to collect some small sticks for a quick fire Greg produced a small pot from his pack and filled it with water in order to brew up some tea.  The assorted tea bags used created a strange herbal tea that tasted surprisingly good.  We gave thanks for a strong season and looked forward to our next gathering in winter to plan spring season.  Realizing the time we poured hot tea in to water bottles and thermos lids.  A nearby creek offered water to extinguish our fire and Steve taught us a way to extinguish our coals by drowning them and then conceal our fire by trenching the ashes and charcoal and replacing the duff and moss we had removed earlier.  The boys scattered some sticks and branches over our spot and the presence of our fire was totally gone.  Steve invited the group to sneak back through the forest to the power line cut in silence and we all felt our way carefully through the brush with only the occasional pop of a twig to betray the presence of our group. 

The setting sun stole what little warmth the day offered and in the quiet of the fading light we had our last sit spot of the season.  Under the power lines the view south across the Skagit valley and over to the cliffs of Alger Alp were extraordinary.  The quiet of the moment sunk into our bones and we were all grateful for another rich day of exploration.  The boys charged down the steep hill to their waiting families in the twilight.

As Mentors we so much gratitude.  We age grateful to the Vespula Veterans for their strength, growing skill, and leadership.  We are grateful for the families of the Vespula Veterans who support this work we do.  We are also grateful for you trust to take your boys into the wild places (near and far) and bring them back slightly changed-be it from a challenge they faced or a skill they practiced.  Finally we are grateful for the wild spaces we can go and explore and all the things these places teach us.  Thank you for another incredible season!  Steve and I hope to see you at some of the outings for 11+ in our winter season.  We are already dreaming up ideas for the spring season for you to weigh in and decide upon at our upcoming winter gathering.  Enjoy the holidays!