Circling up for the Short-Tailed Weasels first outing of the new
spring season, new faces were introduced, and jobs were divided with our focus
maintained on getting out onto the trail. With the help of our Tribal Elder,
the boys reached a consensus at our first trail junction, deciding to explore a
new trail and following the lead of one of our explorers to take us to the
perfect spot to play Spider’s Web. The way through to this magical area was not
without its challenges. Bushwhacking down a steep hill pushed some of our
explorers to their edges, and challenges the loamy soils ability to hold
together the roots of sword ferns, Oregon grape, and salal.
Finding a nice log to sit on, we enjoyed our snacks while waiting
for our dispersed group to all gather together again. We discussed erosion and
the impact we all have on our landscapes, and decided that we would go out a different
way than we came to this spot, so as not to stress the slope’s soil further. Not
that we were planning on leaving anytime soon! We’d found our perfect Spider’s
Web spot, bounded on two sides by steep terrain, with a hill in between to
create a series of hills and valleys, all covered in the camouflaging sword
fern. We even discovered, while exploring this spot to try and discern where
our boundaries should be, evidence of other Explorers Club activity in the
area, in the form of a very well constructed debris shelter in one of the
valleys!
After discussing our boundaries and reminding ourselves of the
rules, the boys nominated their new mentor Conor to be the spider, a choice
which would test the limits and stretch the edges of their camouflaging skills.
For over an hour, the boys try many different tactics to camouflage their
movements as they attempted to home in on the food source – a bandana hidden
well up one of the valleys – and rescuing each other from the spiders web when
their movements and rustlings were called out by the spider. Never losing focus
or enthusiasm, the boys sportsmanship, skill and spirit finally paid off when
our newest explorer succeeded at taking the food source around the back of the
hill to the web, thus winning the game for the flies! Circling round to debrief
the game, we discussed the boys different strategies and found opportunities to
learn from our successes and mistakes.
Following a path Steve had scouted as we played spiders web, we
rejoined the trail and began our journey back, as well as the journey into our
skill focus for the season – harvesting. Here the Short-Tailed Weasels and
mentors were challenged to hold the space for harvesting knowledge while energy
levels ranged from focused to hyperactive. With the help of our Knowledge
Keeper, we learned how to identify stinging nettle – saw toothed leaves, square
stems, leaves opposite each other, short stinging hairs on stock and leaf – and
that one can harvest it without stinging themselves, by picking the leaf from
the top where there are few if any hairs, and rolling the bottom of the leaf against
itself to remove the stingers. One important element of harvesting is how to
not take too many: For every one we take, we leave one alone for other animals
to eat, one alone to make seed and regenerate the plant, and one alone for the intrinsic
value that plant has to exist on its own.
After harvesting a pot full of nettle leaves, we continued on the
trail back in search of a good spot for our closing meeting. Before we found
our spot however, we found another edible plant, the licorice root fern. Found
growing through the moss of Big Leaf maple trees, one can feel for the end the
fern’s roots, and harvest a modest amount. We’re careful not to harvest the
middle of a root, as this will kill the plant below our harvest. The root
tastes very much like licorice, and after sampling some on the spot, we harvest
enough to add to the pot of nettles we’re intent on brewing into tea.
We ended our day with a sit spot overlooking the dog park – not the
best choice of location perhaps, but a perfect way to bring our energy focus
back to our harvest being boiled into tea, and reflection on gratitude for what
nature provides. After our tea of nettle, licorice root fern, peppermint tea,
cedar fronds and fresh water had steeped, we gathered ourselves back from our
sit spots for our closing circle. Drinking tea and eating apples, we have thanks
for nature’s bounty, and to consecrate the end of the beginning of the
Short-Tailed Weasels spring season.