The Cave Dwellers search for sn.....err, the Two Dollar trail?

It’s about the journey, not the destination (Boys Explorers Club motto). Our intent to search for snow in the Chuckanuts was a non-starter after last week’s instant snow melt, so with this motto in mind, we switched to a Two Dollar trail hike to Fragrance Lake. In an attempt to preserve the spirit of timeless wandering underlying the search for snow idea, mentors Tim and Brian asked the Explorers what they were interested in doing: lots of games was the strong response. 

So off we went. Almost immediately, we found a side trail; I could swear I heard a disembodied voice whisper, “This way for timeless wandering”. So off we went. A few hundred yards later, in a small opening, we came upon a pile (gaggle? bunch?, pride?) of rocks and an adjacent “crater”. To the Cave Dwellers, this formation was tailor made for a “pine cone war”, so they divided into two groups and began pelting each other. Before long, however, one of the boys got caught up in the heat of battle and picked up a rock instead of a pine cone. In an instance of very good aim and extremely bad luck, his throw found in unintended target - another Explorers head! 

The good news is that the injury, as of Sunday evening, involved a cut that had to be glued together, lots of pain and some bleeding, but nothing more. He should be fine soon.

That put a stop to that activity, of course, as Mentors Tim and Brian attended to the injury and contacted the injured Explorers’ parents to come pick him up. In an example of taking responsibility for his actions, the boy who threw the rock was contrite and apologized to the injured party. The mentors gathered the Explorers and spoke with the group about taking care of each other and learning from our mistakes. In all, the incident exemplified another motto - 

The Trail is the Teacher On the trail, as in life, the lessons emerge as we walk our individual and collective journeys. Everything that appears and unfolds along the way – whether happy or sad, joyful or difficult – is a teacher. Lessons are often unexpected (and sometimes unwelcome) but we learn to use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

After lunch, we decided to settle in and play games rather than strike up the trail for the lake. It wasn’t how I’d envisioned it, but through a few games of Spider’s Web and Hungry, Hungry Marten, we achieved the timelessness, if only for a while, for which mentors Tim and Brian were hoping.

It's easy to see why the Cave Dwellers were attracted to this spot for their "pine cone war". 

"Happy or sad; joyful or difficult..." the motto proved out on Sunday. We had difficulty with an injury to one of our number and we had quiet reflection in mottled sunshine. 

After we administered to the injured Explorer, we decided to regroup over lunch. 

The Cave Dwellers (formerly Raccoon Kits) have been together for several years now. They have "signature" activities such as pine cone wars and joke telling that indicate group identity and cohesion.

Here we're deciding what games to play.

Hungry Hungry Marten is a current favorite after a rousing series of games at Lookout Mountain a while back. The boys really get into it, sometimes diving at a tree to avoid being "eaten" by the marten.

There is a lake further up the trail...really, there is. This is the place that called out to us, though, and it's where we compressed several emotions - compassion, joy, anxiety, reflection, reconciliation, and more - into a few hours together in the outdoors. 

Our journey was quite short as measured by the steps needed and our intended destination proved elusive, but our experience was rich nonetheless. We worked and played together; we got dirty, made mistakes and were keen to discern the distinction between intent and outcome. Mostly, we took care of each other and connected...to each other, to nature, to our inner maturing selves. With best wishes to a full and fast recovery for our injured brother, we look forward to our next opportunity to hone our positive social behaviors.

Check out the gallery of photos here. We're looking forward to our next gathering - March 11 at Stimpson Family Nature Preserve.