After a long day, I slowly slogged my way out of my former bar job, feeling too exhausted to go on a run, ski or bike. The skies surprised me with a radiant array of blues and whites and even a little sparkle of yellow and pink. It was at this moment that I knew I needed to be accompanied by the comfort of the creek.
It's interesting the work I do for WEN, as their communication coordinator, especially in the winter, I find that there is a disconnect for me in connecting the work I do to the places we're working to protect. I usually work from home, designing new graphics and writing stories about WEN and the fabulous work our team does.
On this day, I felt a deep pull to the Rattlesnake Creek.
When I stepped out of my car I took a deep breath and felt revitalized by the cool crisp air. Breath has an amazing way of grounding you and connecting you to the present place. I held on to this breath, appreciating the serenity of my surroundings and the vast evergreen forest beckoning me.
Geared with a headlamp and a nice warm beverage, my partner, Carver, and I, walked towards the darkening evergreen abis. Trying to be mindful of the nordic tracks, we stayed in the middle of the trail. Things were starting to darken at this point and I heard the little voices of the forest. A hoot from an owl, the little squeaks of the chipmunks playing a game of chase up and down the trunk of a douglas fir. All of this movement was accompanied by the rushing sound of the Rattlesnake Creek.
On and on we went, and I couldn't help but feel immensely grateful to have such easy access to a place so alive. Alive in a different way from that of a city. There its a simplicity to how the natural world exists, a slowness and peacefulness that detaches you from the everyday hustle of the city. Even in a city as small as Missoula.
Eventually we ended up at the horse bridge, our stopping point. As we looked down in the dusk of the night, a story unraveled. A complex intricate system, a beaver dam.
You see, I have learned about beavers in school, simply learning that they have immense benefits for aquatic ecosystems. I have also talked with my dad extensively about his home football team, the ducks biggest rivals being with the beavers, and that is about the extent of what I know about beavers. Beyond these introductions to their importance and their association with football teams, I had never gotten to really appreciate them until the WEN world fostered a sense of curiosity for all things connected in the creek.
Beavers are amazing mammals, they are architects and stewards of the environment. Beavers also have interesting adaptations to endure winter conditions. They make large wood lodges where they can store their food and sleep (above the water line) so they can keep warm. Generally, they stay pretty warm due to their thick layers of fat and dense coat.
As I watched in awe, the sky suddenly became dark with the little glimmer of stars peaking out. We figured that now we should probably head back and make some dinner.
After this adventure many others followed that week up to the beaver dam, in the slightest hope to fulfill my mere undying expectation to see a little beaver friend in person. Even if I return without a sighting, which I have every time, I always walk away feeling a little bit more grounded, with a spark ignited in me about why I am so passionate about protecting these natural systems and the stories they tell.
