a morning amongst the redwoods...

mtnfolk mike

mtnfolk mike

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i have worked with kids of all ages over the years... primarilly doing outdoor ed./adventure based work...about 2 years ago, a teacher/good buddy of mine, got me involved with, "the nature academy" at our local middle school... it is a charter school, sperate from our normal school, but still held on the same campus... this was my 7th. or 8th. time working with these kids this year... greg and i have taught basic primitive skills with these kids and i have gotten to lead my own field sketching courses with them.. that is what we did today..

this program is amazing... it puts the whole class with the same teacher all year long, as apossed to switching classes every few hours... the teacher john K.. is a great guy and remarkable athlete.... he takese these kids all over he place... catalina island, yosemite, kayaking and multiple state/national parks...
the program focuses more on science, geography and ecology... these kids are also really excited about it as well.. they actually want to learn and are blast to hang with... i have worked with this group quite a few times now, so they have really gotten to know me...

here's a few pics from todays hike and field sketching class... we hiked to a river in FALL CREEK STATE PARK and found a nice spot to hang out.. fall creek buts right up behind the high chool here... the place is amazing.. one of my favorite spots and it's only about 5 minutes away...

today i had them drawing rocks, for almost an hour....:o i have been an artist nearly my whole life and i don't know about you guys, but rocks are not easy to draw...

you gotta love the CA. redwoods...
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me..
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Bear beat me to it,tales from the darkside......that is what I thought about when i seen it,cool pixs
 
and some more....

our spot next to the river..
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the vast majority of these kids, were great artists...
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here is a poison oak pic... this stuff sucks... it's all over our area.. "leaves of 3 let it be"...
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and the mandatory knife shot... my charlie ridge utility and hikers back up knife, by stomper...i had these tucked away in my pack... i always have my BM mini griptillian anyhow... i hate sharpening my pencils with a sharpener, i like to put more of a convex point on them with a knife... the kids got a kick out of that...
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cheers... mike
 
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Great stuff Mike. It's great to see kids getting out to the woods like that, and with guys like you helping them learn and appreciate it they will be a-okay.
 
nice shots, looks like a nice relaxed day in the woods.

its good to get them outdoors, and sketching nature provides a great excuse to do it...I know with kids its sometimes a battle giving them a "reason" to go on a hike...
 
Wow, if I was a kid in Cali right now I'd be begging my mom and dad to take that class. It must be extremely rewarding to share your knowledge with those kids, Mike, especially in such a beautiful setting. My hat is off too you for teaching the little guys & gals about nature... I think every kid deserves it.
I visited Cali once at about 8 years old and I still remember the redwoods like yesterday. I loved looking up at them stretching into the sky. Gotta go back there someday for sure!

I really dig that hiker's backup knife there too!

~Kris
 
bearthedog said:
Mike I think you are in love with that cahlie ridge utility knife. Looks good.
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bear-- you're right my friend...:D this knife is just about perfect for me...

kris79usa said:
Wow, if I was a kid in Cali right now I'd be begging my mom and dad to take that class. It must be extremely rewarding to share your knowledge with those kids, Mike, especially in such a beautiful setting. My hat is off too you for teaching the little guys & gals about nature... I think every kid deserves it.
I visited Cali once at about 8 years old and I still remember the redwoods like yesterday. I loved looking up at them stretching into the sky. Gotta go back there someday for sure!

I really dig that hiker's backup knife there too!

~Kris
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kris.. many thanks for the compliments... it was a great day...:o

you really should look into one of thos hikers back up knives... they're sweet little knives...:thumbup:
 
I'm not familiar with that type of environnement:
do trees naturally grow this way or is it a man managed forest (when it comes to trees growth)?
Hard to find any true "wild forest" where I live.
 
Well, other than the path that's nature at work!

Old growth forests are often huge trees, and not much down at ground level. They are often easy to walk around in, but not as much wildlife as the hardwood forests as there is less undergrowth for animals to eat.
 
Great pics mike, props to you for passin on some knowlage to the kids. I would love to have had something like that when I was young. Man I miss the redwoods......

I got an email from john and he finished my hikers backup and shipped it monday so I should see it soon, I also have a knife on order from charlieridge. Mine is a small fixed blade with a wider blade w/ a bit of bellly to it, its a great knife, I handled his and wanted him to make me one. he also let me have a rambo4 style knife w/ a sheepsfoot type blade and a wicked convex edge to play with. I will have to get some pics up of it in use.

Nice trip dude!
 
Ravaillac said:
I'm not familiar with that type of environnement:
do trees naturally grow this way or is it a man managed forest (when it comes to trees growth)?
Hard to find any true "wild forest" where I live.
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ravaillac-- these are CA. redwoods man...:D they naturally grow this way, you can find them all over the CA. coast... there isn't too much old growth in this area anymore, thanks to the quake of 1906..:( the vast majority of what you see is second growth forests.... these things are tall and the old growth trees are just huge...:eek: they're amazing trees....

thanks for all the comments guys....:thumbup:

J-- i'm looking forward to seeing some pics of your new blades... you're going to love that hikers back up knife.... it's a sweet little knife... the charlie ridge knife sounds cool too...
 
Great to see kids outdoors, and exploring there artistic side. Props to you Mike. Looks like a great time for kids or adults.
 
Looks like you had a nice time with the kids, and took some great photos. I`m glad you are still liking the Hiker`s Backup, I started another batch yesterday, along with a new one, a mini bushcraft.

John
 
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