Chattermarks

What do Bald Eagles mean to you?

This was a question a group of 10 high school students from the International District Housing Alliance’s (IDHA) Wilderness Inner-city Leadership Development program (WILD), and 30 students of almost all grades from Kulshan Creek Neighborhood Program, discovered over the weekend. The North Cascades Institute, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, assisted the groups to help find some answers. The day of discovery began with a discussion of Bald Eagle biology ranging in topics from migration and diet, to anatomy and reproduction. The wonderful examples of Bald Eagle skulls, talons and eggs added to the excitement.

(Title) IDHA group discussing salmon (Above) A Bald Eagle roosting

» Continue reading Kulshan kids wing it

December 21st, the official start of winter, has just only recently passed. Though it may be only a calendar date to some, in Washington’s Cascades, winter’s arrival is obvious, its long stay welcomed.

The white flakes so indicative of this new season are enticing. In these coldest and darkest of months, I get outside, purposefully, to engage with this landscape in yet another new and enlightening way – through snowshoeing.

To see the natural world cloaked all in white takes some skill. In western Washington, snow has not quite reached the lowlands except for short, sporadic bursts. Most of this precipitation has collected up in the higher parts of the mountain valleys. When snow does not come to me, I come to it, and snowshoeing allows me to see places in winter that many only dream of.

» Continue reading Venturing south for a snowshoe

‘Tis the season of tradition, of woodstove warmth and food made fresh from the comforts of the kitchen. It is the season of giving thanks, of gathering together—to recall memories, to celebrate, to laugh, to eat.

As Thanksgiving fast approaches, I smile with the thought of tradition. Traditions are what help to define us as individuals. Whether or not we chose to continue those of our upbringing or create ones anew, tradition is the essence of this holiday season.

And for the essence of my family, that tradition is food. Good food.

» Continue reading The festive nature of food