Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Day 1-3!

1st Day: While driving towards Warm Spring, each vehicle decided to lay a game where you count each wild horse you see. Our vehicle (The Bandwagon) counted 338 wild horses! Did you know there is approx. over 18,000 horses in the area (Yakama Nation) we live? Interesting fact I found out. On the way to Warm Springs we took a stop along the Celilo Falls. At first just looking at the view, I thought it was so wonderful, so calm and peaceful. Then, I heard the story of what use to be and what is not anymore. As Haver (Chaperone) spoke the history of Celilo falls, I couldn't speak. My jaw clenched as I heard the stories of people hurt by the history. What was once gorgeous raging waterfalls is nothing but a silent calm current. Villages moved and destroyed a place that use to be home is no longer there but buried deep under water.
     Horsetheif Lake, we were going to stop their and see the petroglyphs that were there. The moment we arrived I see the warning sign stating "Watch out for Rattlesnakes" My heart beat speed up as I freaked out at the thought of encountering a rattlesnake! We started our hike and it was well worth it, I saw many petroglyphs which only led me to question why they were there. What was the story behind them. I remember a few looking like a sun.
     Later we arrived at the Warm Spring Reservation we stayed in a longhouse which was lovely. One shower, that was not to lovely, we ate dinner and prepared ourselves for bed. With the luxury of a blowup mattress and sleeping bag.

2nd Day: We woke up at 7 and got up and ate breakfast. After breakfast we all gathered around a table and learned a deeper meaning about the scientific method. We then went Shitike Creek which was a restoration project that was a success. Jason Grant (Fish Biologist) and Austin Smith (Wildlife technician) informed us about what a river needed how they were able to do it and how with the restoration project they were able to increase the population of the coho salmon. We then went to an area in the woods where Austin demostrated what he does in his field of work. He works with muledeer where he counts the decline of muledeer. He spoke of how they capture a deer and attach a collar to it and monitor the deer at least once a week. As he continued speaking we learned about the predator (mountain lions, bears, and pouchers) issues. They have now gathered enough information to present the information to the tribal council where the tribal council will decide what to do next. After that stop we then went to a location where they intend to do a new restoration project. We looked around and counted multiple issues with that area. With that they explained how they were going to fix each issue.
     Wow! We covered a lot of information in one day, so after learning so much we had the opportunity to go swimming! We swam in a river with such a strogn current and me along with a couple other friends decided to see how it would be to be a salmon. Oh goodness that was intense. After a long stuggle and scrathes along our body we now understand why salmon die! Ha no, but the swim downhill can be quite painful.
     Sadly when we got back to the lognhouse it was Bandwagons time to cook dinner and might I say we did a mighty fine job at cooking. After dinner we made rope and when I say made, I mean literally made! We took Tacuse and went through a long process to make a small piece of rope. It was very time consuming but such an interesting thing to learn!
     We were then able to bond with people on this trip and play a few games that had us giggling so much and then we secretly took pictures of adorable Mr.Clinton cuddled up in bed! hehe (: After that, bed time!

3rd Day: I woke up at 6:30 and we had to be all packed and ready to head out by 8 am sharp. It was so intense cleaning everything up and on our way!
     We went horseback riding and what can I say, that was such a joy! I loved every moment and my horse (Cooch) was so nice and lovely. It was a beautiful site and I was able to run my horse a bit but when I did run him I was bouncing up and down and it hurt! After the horse ride I got off and was bit sore.
     We then headed straight to the Museum at Warm Springs and learned so much about the Native Americans and the three different tribes down here and how there language is hard to speak. Thats it for now (:


Pictures Below!!

                                          At Celilo Falls
                                         Beautiful water bottles that were given to us.
                                         Petrogylphs at Horsetheif Lake Park
                                         Clinton and his sleeping
                                          Us set up at the longhouse in Warm Springs
                                         Chance, Sheryl and I getting ready for the hike!

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