Nearshore and Coast Range Ecoregions Field trip
/The Sea Lions were on the move again this week as we traveled to Ecola State Park, driving across the Coast Range and taking a long hike from Indian Beach to Clatsop Loop Trail. On the drive, we took time to notice how the land around us changed, noting in our journals the change in elevation, temperature, moisture and landscape. Upon arrival at Ecola, we were greeted by Angela Whitlock, a marine biologist working for the North Coast Land Conservancy. She engaged us in a wonderful discussion about healthy land/sea connectivity and we celebrated the importance of our oceans for all life on earth.
As we made the steep trek up from Indian Beach, we marveled at the ancient forest canopy above us, the ecosystems of fallen trees, the air heavy with moisture, and the circular quality of life around us. Mr. Mark shared a story about the trail we were walking on - the very trail that Lewis and Clark and Sacagewea used in order to search for an ecola (Chinook Wawa term for whale) which was said to have washed up on the beach. At the trail’s summit, we stood above the crashing waves of the ocean below us and imagined what it must have been like for Sacagawea and many other explorers to have seen the wide expanse of the ocean for the first time.
After completing our hike, we arrived (tired and hungry, but invigorated by all that we had experienced!) at Ms. Ellie’s mom’s house at Arch Cape. We warmed up, enjoying a lunch together and looking out at the Cape and “Queen Vic”, right outside the bank of windows in the dining area. Ms. Ellie’s mom shared a little about the history of Arch Cape. We explored the house and then went for a walk to the stream, examining kelp, seashells, agates and experienced the fun of throwing rocks into the water and racing sticks down the stream toward the ocean. As we watched the stream, we were reminded of the importance of the towering trees in the forest above us, filtering and cleaning the water as it made its way down to the ocean.
As we walked back along the ocean, the Sea Lions were filled with a tremendous sense of joy. We are grateful to live in such a beautiful state, and to experience it together!
