Meeting in the Lost Lake Trailhead parking lot just off of
Chuckanut Drive, the Daredevils Club reunited for some exploration at a classic
Explorers Club location; Clayton Beach. Hiking down the stairs to the trail we
decided it would be good to take some time to explore the ravine and forest
before dropping down to the beach. Winding our way along the trail down into
the ravine we stopped beside the stream to take it all in. Taking in our
surroundings we noticed the landscape had been carved out by this babbling
brook cutting a deep groove in the forest exposing rock faces and producing a
series of small waterfalls along its way. It is hard not to get lost in a
moment of appreciation for the beauty of this forest.
After a few minutes of feeling out the area we decided to
trek up the stream in search of fossils. Picking our way along the slippery
rocks and ducking under vine maple we slowly worked our way back up the ravine.
Little bits of sedimentary rock with darker specks and shapes on them gave us
the notion we were on the right track. Finally getting to the top of the creek
we found large chunks of the stream bank that had eroded off, exposing numerous
fossils of leaves and sticks. The Daredevils Club enjoyed poking around,
breaking up some of the other rocks in search for more fossils. Touching a
fossil is one of those experiences that evokes curiosity. How old is this leaf?
How long had it stayed locked within this riverbank before a heavy rain broke
it free? What did this landscape look like when this leaf fell off its tree?
Taking a moment to contemplate these sorts of thoughts not only helps us
envision a prehistoric version of the very place we call home, but also gives
us a unique perspective on the vastness of time and the incredible
probabilities at play for an ordinary leaf, one in millions if not billions, encountered
the perfect set of circumstances to become fossilized and eventually one day be
discovered by a member of the Daredevils Club.
Returning to our packs we took some time to explore a bit
more before heading down to the beach. Discovering a downed Western Red Cedar
the mentors were instilled with inspiration for the Daredevils Club to complete
a fire by friction kit before the culmination of their season, and their Boys
Explorers Club experience. Harvesting the curving limbs for of the cedar tree we
each cut ourselves a bow for a bow drill kit. Next we needed to find some
seasoned cedar to carve into a spindle and fireboard. Discovering the downed
cedar was too fresh and tight grained, to split easily we took inventory of our
surroundings and pressed on a mission for some new materials to harvest.
Remembering a downed cedar from a few seasons ago we headed a bit further down
the trail and found it would make perfect material for carving spindles and
fireboards. Enough with the forest, fossils, and fire by friction, time to get
down to the beach!
Continuing along the trail we made our way down to Clayton
Beach where it is impossible not to have a good time. The day was a bit
blustery and overcast which in all honesty was perfect for this outing. Not only
did the clouds offer protection from the sun, but without the warm rays of
sunshine all the fair-weather beach combers were nowhere to be found. Climbing
amongst the rocks the Daredevils Club found a driftwood fort that had been
built last fall by a younger BEC group. In fact, it was there very group, the
Storm Wolves, that had an epic outing of shelter building at Galbraith inspired
by the debris shelter that the Daredevils Club had constructed in the fall. It
was only fitting that we took some time to add onto this driftwood shelter and
in no time the DDC had a cozy little shelter to tuck themselves away in and out
of the cool coastal breeze that was becoming a bit chilly.
With some free time under our belts it was time to hunker
down and focus on some skills. Getting out our freshly harvested cedar, we
split it up into spindle blanks and fire boards using the batoning method with
our knives. Next we found a good spot to sit down, eat some food, and carve our
spindles. The mentors had a great time hanging out with this group while
carving. It is easy to get lost in carving and fall into silence, but these
boys are full of jokes and silly anecdotes that make it impossible not to
smile. It’s tough to think that this is our last season together as the Daredevils
Club. There have been so many good times and so much growth from this group
over the years. After our service outing we will have one more outing which
will be an overnight at Racehorse Falls. Tim and Peter have set the intention
for every member of the DDC to finish carving their bow drill kits and get a
coal, and ensuing fire, with each of their own kits. This won’t be easy, but
will be a great way for these guys to put a stamp on their Explorers Club
experience and demonstrate how far they have come over the years. The mentors
are already getting excited about our upcoming overnight and despite it being
our last outing together, the Daredevils Club is primed for an epic experience
marking the culmination of their time in the Boys Explorers Club.
Check out the rest of our photos from this outing here!
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