Flying Eagle, variously known as Wambli River Dancing Eagle, or just Wambli to Eli, began life here in St. Helens in March, 2006, and the beginning of the canoe's life was also the beginning of a life-changing journey for Clayton, and Eli too. Much has already been written about the canoes and the journey of First Squad, and I wouldn't presume to speak for Clayton about his own voyage of adventure and self-discovery. I will say that when I look at him, knowing the sweet, earnest, adorable little boy that grew up loving to dress up in elaborate costumes (cowboy, Batman, pirate, James Bond), was growing his own salad and herbal teas at age 8, and would painstakingly set up his little easel on the front porch so he could while away summer afternoons painting, and now I see this tall, strapping, confident, capable, brash young man who maneuvers around town on his skateboard as comfortably as he bucks hay, does construction, and paddles a canoe, I'm totally in awe. And his growth into himself in the past year and a half, since Lewis & Clark arrived in his life, has been exponential. I don't take credit for his accomplishments, but I was one proud mom on July 3rd when Clayton stern-paddled the Eagle into St. Helens.
Flying Eagle, variously known as Wambli River Dancing Eagle, or just Wambli to Eli, began life here in St. Helens in March, 2006, and the beginning of the canoe's life was also the beginning of a life-changing journey for Clayton, and Eli too. Much has already been written about the canoes and the journey of First Squad, and I wouldn't presume to speak for Clayton about his own voyage of adventure and self-discovery. I will say that when I look at him, knowing the sweet, earnest, adorable little boy that grew up loving to dress up in elaborate costumes (cowboy, Batman, pirate, James Bond), was growing his own salad and herbal teas at age 8, and would painstakingly set up his little easel on the front porch so he could while away summer afternoons painting, and now I see this tall, strapping, confident, capable, brash young man who maneuvers around town on his skateboard as comfortably as he bucks hay, does construction, and paddles a canoe, I'm totally in awe. And his growth into himself in the past year and a half, since Lewis & Clark arrived in his life, has been exponential. I don't take credit for his accomplishments, but I was one proud mom on July 3rd when Clayton stern-paddled the Eagle into St. Helens.
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