Yesterday was the "Return of the First Salmon" ceremony. A great many people— lots of them youth— made their way to the end of Lower Elwha Road, happily picking blackberries along the way. There was sunshine, there was blue sky, there was chanting, there were blessings. There was weaving a raft of cedar boughs, placing salmon on it, and setting it afloat towards the river mouth. There were three eagles hanging around towards the river mouth in case the singing people wanted to release another delicious floating cedar platform of food. (Sorry, eagles, wait until next year.)
