IF THERE’S ONE thing I like to do, it’s spread awareness.
One might say it’s my job: Professional awareness spreader.
How not to fish, the many forgotten qualities of Jake Plummer, the many known qualities of latte stand baristas . . . yes, I’m a regular awareness spreading son of a gun.
Here’s a new one for you: Sequim, when translated literally from the S’klallam language, means “quiet waters.”
(And this whole time I thought it meant “city name spelled phonetically incorrect so locals can quickly identify visiting tourists.”)
Thank the Quiet Waters Racing Team, supporters of the Dungeness River Audubon Center, for that little piece of knowledge.
The Sequim-based group of mountain biking enthusiasts is looking to do a little awareness spreading of its own.
And not just about awkwardly spelled city names.
Quiet Waters’ main message, as articulated by team leader and River Center education coordinator Powell Jones:
The outdoors are to be appreciated, especially by children, with activities outside of simply hiking.
The group has already raised $1,000 for education activities at the River Center, and hopes to raise more while participating in mountain bike races across the Pacific Northwest.
“We’re going out to these races, and then we’re pitching the idea that having healthy activities in life is something you should do,” said Jones, who grew up in Sequim.
“It might be snowboarding, it might be mountain biking, but whatever it is, we’re trying to connect kids with it and get them outside.”
An article in Scientific American a couple of years ago pointed to the electronic world replacing the natural one as a leading diversion.
Author Richard Louv, who wrote “Last Child in the Woods,” even suggested there may be a fear factor that keeps some children from truly enjoying the outdoors.
It’s just this perceived disconnect between children and nature that Jones wants to combat.
“That’s just not my experience growing up,” Jones said. “Some of my best memories came from the woods . . . and they still do.”
Quiet Waters will begin this summer’s set of races with this weekend’s Round the Clock 24-hour mountain bike relay near Spokane.
Armed with high-powered head lamps and solid constitutions, a team of five Quiet Waters racers will trade off 15-mile laps throughout the day and night.
Last year, they rode 285 miles combined at the event on trails a little less forgiving than your typical road bike course.
“We ride with lights on our helmets and our bikes,” Jones said.
“It’s almost like you’re riding with a toned down motorcycle light.”
Quiet Waters would also like to illuminate the idea that mountain bikers are environmental stewards.
Said team member and sponsor Greg Voyles, “We ride to enjoy the serenity of the wilderness, plants, and animals while doing an activity that is low impact on the environment and promotes a healthy lifestyle.”
A number of local businesses — Mervin Manufacturing, Voyles Insurance and Mike’s Bikes — sponsor the riders.
Donations of any size are encouraged from the public.
All donations go straight toward education activities for the River Center.
To sponsor and support the River Center through Quiet Waters Racing team, visit www.dungenessrivercenter.org, or call 360-681-4076.
Trails map
Want a hike with mountain views, lush wildflowers or waterfalls?
Washington Trails Association’s new search-by-map hiking guide requires only a functional computer mouse to find a trail with any one of those.
The interactive map, launched earlier this week at wta.org, provides links to hundreds of hikes throughout the state, with descriptions and trip reports available with each link.
There are filters for distance, elevation gain and all sorts of other variables like lakes, kid-friendly hikes and old-growth forests.
Just by clicking on the “waterfalls” filter, for example, I can find seven different hikes on the Peninsula that offer such sights.
(A real treat for aspiring amateur photographers out there, since there is no greater amateur photo subject than waterfalls, with the possible exception of grain silos.)
The map can be accessed by visiting http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/map.
Have at it hoss. Just don’t make me watch your slide show.
Flatties’ revenge
As expected, Marine Area 3 (LaPush) and 4 (Neah Bay) anglers will get at least a couple of more halibut fishing days.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday that the coastal fisheries would open to flatty fishing June 3 and 5.
Both fisheries saw so-so results during the first four days of fishing between May 13-22.
If sufficient quota remains, more fishing dates could be added starting June 17.
________
Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.