What a great Banana Slug-invented day we had! The plan was borne of collaboration and compromise last fall, and all arrived ready to explore not on foot, but with pedal power!
After a thorough review of our H.E.L.P. Project service day in January, and a solid bike safety talk, we set out, and right from the start made collaborative, girl-led decisions about which route to take. We started not on the main trail (Interurban) but headed for the 100 Acre Wood, and at each fork the girls chose to take the road less traveled. This led us up, down, all around (and through some nice mud pits).
Once back on the Interurban, we reviewed how mindful we would need to be, given the Chuckanut 50K foot race happening. Serious runners meaning business on a long and tiring route would not wish to be impeded by 16 cyclists! Mel and I were so impressed by how well the gals shared the trail, kept appropriate distances between bikes, called out when slowing or stopping or when a runner was coming. They were a moving cheer squad, and most runners seemed grateful for the audible support.
Arroyo Park, with its tricky terrain, was a detour for some, while the rest of us went up, up, up California Street. Then it was a straight stretch to snack time with a gorgeous view of Chuckanut Bay, and a solid and heartfelt check in from each one of us. Check in becomes more personal and in-depth as girls make their way through middle school, and it's lovely to witness the listening support offered by each one.
We cruised on to our final stop of the day: my friends' expansive, dreamy property, complete with baby chicks, garden, pond, donkeys, and the outflow waterfall from Fragrance Lake. So much exploring happened here, and we even got to hold the chicks and give Cicely and Coco (the donkeys) a walk!
Five hours flew past, and our day ended with a circle of thanks, a reminder of how replenishing it is to really consider and count our blessings.
Our words of the day? Biking, Running, Donkeys, Waterfall Fun!
You may view the slideshow here
After a thorough review of our H.E.L.P. Project service day in January, and a solid bike safety talk, we set out, and right from the start made collaborative, girl-led decisions about which route to take. We started not on the main trail (Interurban) but headed for the 100 Acre Wood, and at each fork the girls chose to take the road less traveled. This led us up, down, all around (and through some nice mud pits).
Once back on the Interurban, we reviewed how mindful we would need to be, given the Chuckanut 50K foot race happening. Serious runners meaning business on a long and tiring route would not wish to be impeded by 16 cyclists! Mel and I were so impressed by how well the gals shared the trail, kept appropriate distances between bikes, called out when slowing or stopping or when a runner was coming. They were a moving cheer squad, and most runners seemed grateful for the audible support.
Arroyo Park, with its tricky terrain, was a detour for some, while the rest of us went up, up, up California Street. Then it was a straight stretch to snack time with a gorgeous view of Chuckanut Bay, and a solid and heartfelt check in from each one of us. Check in becomes more personal and in-depth as girls make their way through middle school, and it's lovely to witness the listening support offered by each one.
We cruised on to our final stop of the day: my friends' expansive, dreamy property, complete with baby chicks, garden, pond, donkeys, and the outflow waterfall from Fragrance Lake. So much exploring happened here, and we even got to hold the chicks and give Cicely and Coco (the donkeys) a walk!
Five hours flew past, and our day ended with a circle of thanks, a reminder of how replenishing it is to really consider and count our blessings.
Our words of the day? Biking, Running, Donkeys, Waterfall Fun!
You may view the slideshow here
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