February 25, 2010

We have officially been Oregon residents for one whole week now, and I believe I speak for the both of us in saying that this state is pretty magical.  The perks go beyond the zero sales tax and the friendly sales people in the local Medford markets.

I will mention two highlights, one speaks for the beauty, the other for the people.  The first occurred as the sun was setting behind the dominating Mount McLaughlin.  Our friend and mentor  (also our host), Bill Hunt, drove us via the Lake of the Woods highway along the Upper Klamath to “K Falls” as the locals call it, short for Klamath Falls.  Once home to the Klamath Indians, there are no falls near this sacred area.  Its name comes from the “Link River phemonenon”, where legend has it that when the wind blew water upstream it came through with such force, it parted the water along the river, creating a walkway for towns people to cross.  Once the wind died off, the water would come crashing back  down the river, hence the name Klamath Falls.  We did some work in the Klamath Outdoor Science School (KOSS) office before driving north to Fort Klamath to visit KOSS’ site.  From there you can see Mount Mazama, home to the the beautiful Crater Lake.  Upon our return, we were driving a long straight road in the basin when we spotted a Bald Eagle hunting a final meal before retiring for the night.  The eagle dove on a small prey and before Buckeye could exit to snap a photograph it grabbed its catch and relocated to the middle of the field where we just had a glimpse of its supper.  A magical moment, indeed, as this is just one of the few sightings I have ever had.

The second highlight was attending an Environmental Educators Summit hosted by the Gray Family Fund.  The Gray Family are huge supporters of Outdoor Education in Oregon and donate approximately $750,000 in grants to EE schools statewide.  This innagual conference was designed to share with the Gray Family the trials and tribulations that EE programs are enduring.  Attendees included directors, administrators, grantees, writers and faculty.  We felt honored to be a part and Buckeye did a fabulous job leading a group networking game on the opening evening.  We shared about InspireOut and were  teared up hearing about other programs and their success as well as needs for funding and support.   In the end, we were humbled.

I am constantly reminded that each person must continue to do their part in order to ensure that we all continue to enjoy the beauty around us…. including more bald eagles!  Now go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

~Justin


11 Comments

athena (dolphin),riley (stix ),arianna (wolf) · April 12, 2010 at 11:49 am

Hi Buckeye!
Thank you for a AWESOME time at Science Camp! We really enjoyed the time you spent with us while we were there. Good Luck on your hike from Mexico to Canada. Hey this is Stix and I just wanted to thank you for everything! I hope you have a great time hiking for 6 months and I can’t wait until we write you another response and a letter. GO MUDDY MANIACS!!!

-Dolphin, Stix, Wolf

Lorenzo and Carlos A.K.A Sharp Beak and Skunky · April 12, 2010 at 11:50 am

Hi Swift and Buckeye! Hi it’s Sharp Beak, how exciting is it to hike from Mexico to Canada, it must take some time to walk that! I wish good luck and have fun at the hike! Hi it’s Skunky, I hope you have a fun time on the hike thank you so much for shoing me a lote of exiting time. When you go to the hike from Mexico to Canada you’re going to see the snow. I hope you have a fantasic time on the hike!!!

P.S. We miss you!

athena (dolphin),riley (stix ),arianna (wolf) · April 12, 2010 at 11:56 am

You are the best Buckeye! This is Stix, I have a question for you, on your hike what are you looking forward to seeing on the hike? This is Wolf, I also have a question for you and Swift, do you have enough water and food for the hike? This is Dolphin and I also have a question for you, how are you going to keep all your supplies from the animals? Well we hope you really enjoy your trip/hike!

-Dolphin, Stix, Wolf

Athin (Eagle) · April 12, 2010 at 11:59 am

Hi Buckeye, I just wanted to give you the best of luck for Swift and you on your hike from Mexico to Canada. Thank You for the awsome week at WOlF school. I wwant to put a poem now. Roses are red Violets are blue, I hope this hike is a good one for you. I hope you have a good time on your hike. Your family will be really proud of you .

Sincerely,
Eagle

Andy and Alfin · April 12, 2010 at 11:59 am

Hi Swift and Buckeye,
This is Fish (Andy) and Alfin A.K.A. Cobra, thank you for making this science camp so memorible. We wish you a happy and safe journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Thank you for all the entertainment and the delicious food. We hope you don’t get eaten by a bear, coyote or maybe a wolf. You guys were awsome naturalists. We had a exciting, wonderful, magestic time. What do you want to see on your hike? Are you coming back to the Web of Life Field School after this hike? We will be trying to follow you guys on the website. Again have a safe journey for six months. Peace out!

Best of wishes,
Fish & Cobra

Christian · April 12, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Hi Swift,
This is Christian A.K.A. Redwood you were a great naturalist. I just want to say thanks to you for teaching me so much about science!! Hope you have a great time on your long journey with Buckeye. Have a safe journey on you’re hike with Buckeye. I feel so exited for You and I cant wait. Hope you have enough of water, food and shelter. Hope I get to see you again at Web of life!! =D Have a great time,
Redwood

Jonathan (Scorpian) · April 12, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Hi Swift, how are you doing. It’s me Jonathan (Scorpian). Thanks for the best week of my life. I know that you have 8 days until you hike 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. Here are a little poem to encourage you on the way,Roses are red voilets are blue I hope this poem encourages you. Roses are red and voilets are blue I know that your family is proud of you.

Sincerely,
Scorpian 🙂 🙂 🙂

Athin (Eagle) · April 12, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Hi Buckeye, I just wanted to give you the best of luck for Swift and you on your hike from Mexico to Canada. Thank You for the awsome week at WOlF school. I wwant to put a poem now. Roses are red Violets are blue, I hope this hike is a good one for you. I hope you have a good time on your hike. Your family will be really proud of you .

Sincerely,
Eagle 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Jonathan (Scorpian) · April 12, 2010 at 12:05 pm

Hi Swift, how are you doing. It’s me Jonathan (Scorpian). Thanks for the best week of my life. I know that you have 8 days until you hike 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. Here are a little poem to encourage you on the way,Roses are red voilets are blue I hope this poem encourages you. Roses are red and voilets are blue I know that your family is proud of you.

From,
Scorpian 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Francis AKA Wolverine and Jimmy AKA Fire · April 12, 2010 at 12:06 pm

Hey Swift and Buckeye this is Francis AKA Wolverine and Jimmy Aka Fire. Thank you for showing us a awsome amazing fun time. I hope you guys have a spectactular great time during your hike. After your hike tell us all the weird and beautiful things about nature. Also tell us if you saw any animals and banna slugs. Have a safe and a wonderful time on your hike.

Sincerely,
Wolverine and Fire

P.S. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

Kristin Ward · May 12, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Crater Lake is where a lot of the juvenile eagles from AZ go spend the summer! Maybe you saw one of my babies?!?! Aren’t they wonderful to watch! I am so lucky to have spent 2 seasons watching 2 eaglets each season grow up! My present 2 will fledge in about 2 weeks. I’m such a proud mama!

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