Mt Baker Middle School

A rain cloud had just passed as the school bus pulled up to the curb at Elliott Bay marina. The morning was still a bit chilly and a light breeze reminded us summer hadn’t arrived yet.

The students stretched into an industrious line from the open cargo doors of the bus as they all carried their tightly packed bags to the compass rose meeting place on the west side of the marina building. They made a mountain of their gear and formed a large introductory circle which would start their Salish journey.

It didn’t take long for the students to morph into bright orange and yellow beings before taking the long walk to meet the S/V Carlyn. Landlubbers would soon meet the sea.