I went for a walk in the late afternoon at the most charming little wetland on South Whidbey. It’s great to have acres and acres to explore and miles and miles to hike. But this little treasure, nestled near the end of the Maxwelton Valley, is just six acres. You could walk the loop in five minutes. but if you did, you’d be missing out. My advice? Explore like a child. Go slow, get low and go with the flow. The Outdoor Classroom is usually hopping with school kids this time of year. But due to Covid-19 and restrictions on gatherings, kids won’t be exploring this place with their classes. But perhaps a parent, or grandparent, could bring a few kids at a time. This pandemic has upended our lives, but as my neighbor said when he stopped his lawn mower at the edge of my yard, it’s kind of a good thing for some of us. It has forced us to slow down, take stock, be grateful. He hoped the slower pace would last.. When I stopped by the Outdoor Classroom, I thought about the teaching activities I led when I worked here years ago. The effort began with two teachers who started raising salmon at school. Students monitored the aquarium daily. When the salmon eggs hatched and grew to be fry, they were big enough to release into the wild. The headwaters of Maxwelton Creek start near their school, so the students went through the watershed asking land owners if they could release their baby salmon in the creek on their property. Who could say no? Then this wetland went up for sale. The teachers formed a non-profit. The community donated money to buy it. Local service clubs built the classroom with mostly donated materials. Contributors got a colorful ceramic fish mounted on the wall. Once the classroom and trails were constructed the non-profit gave it to the school district and formed a partnership. That was thirty years ago and it’s still going strong. The Whidbey Watershed Stewards run the educational programs here with help from trained volunteer educators. Students learn about birds, native plants, water quality and salmon. While I walked the loop and noticed the details around me, I began to make up a scavenger hunt. Could you find flowers that are yellow, pink and white? How about 3 different types of trees? Could you find a bird’s nest, a feather, or an animal track? Find a plant that you can eat, or an animal that's eating a plant? There are lots of places to stop, sit and let it sink in, but my favorite spot is on the deck overlooking the creek with the sweet sound of moving water. I remember having kids sit and make a sound map. Just close your eyes and listen. Count as many sounds as you can. Point to the sound as you hear each one. A bird’s song in that direction. The creek chattering to my right. A woodpecker on my left. And a bee buzzing right there! Approaching my car the trail was bordered by wild Lily of the Valley. They disappear completely in winter and then miraculously, erupt in a lush carpet of glossy, green leaves in spring! After that, I couldn’t get back in my car. I had to go around again! And I experienced so much more, as I went slow, got low, and learned to go with the flow. Directions:
From Clinton drive 4 miles north on Highway 525 to Maxwelton Road. Turn south on Maxwelton Road. drive 4 miles and look for the Outdoor Classroom sign just before the Little Brown Church. From Langley this is a 6 mile, gentle, downhill bike ride with a wide shoulder. A great lunch stop for a bike outing. Be sure to wear a helmet and something bright if riding a bike along the road.
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Maribeth Crandell has been a hiking guide in the Pacific NW for over 20 years. She's lived on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island for decades. As a frequent bus rider she easily makes connections between trails and transit. Archives by date
March 2024
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