This is Preacher's Slough on the Chehalis River. It is one of several sloughs that are part of a surge plain on the Chehalis. When tide water comes up the river, the salt-heavy ocean water sinks, pushing and lifting the fresh-water to the top. The higher fresh-water floods the land and spreads out, running backward into sloughs where it remains until the tide changes. Then, the slough drains. This particular slough has little creeks that empty into the slough, so freshwater is always emptying into it. The constant fluctuations require knowledge of where and when to put our canoe in the water, because a mis-calculation will mean getting stuck on a mudbank. We've done that, and had to portage our canoe about a half-mile down to another area, here at Preacher Slough.
There is a long four mile trail here, through the woods, on an old 'rails to trails' route through the wetlands, forests and farmlands. Since we'd already canoed Lake Sylvia, we decided not to put the canoe in again for another paddle. We parked the van at the first trailhead instead, and walked a worn trail past an old cedar shake-building operation, and past a farm with cattle grazing in a large green pasture. When a neighboring dog started barking, I felt a little apprehensive. Sometimes, these country dogs are not fenced in or restrained. We didn't have pepper spray, and I felt very vulnerable. I knew our walking sticks may not be very reliable, either. 
So, we backtracked through the forest and the salt marsh, and drove to the other end of the trail, where we looked for 'put-in places' for our canoe on future trips. This was definitely a place we wanted to explore in the summertime.We walked through the most delightful little woodland with fresh spring growth. It was so brilliant in the sunshine, so delicate. This little creek meandered next to the trail.
At one of the viewpoints along the trail, I noticed that Skunk Cabbage was now in bloom, just coming out, and richly pungent.
In just a few weeks the brilliant yellow buttercups will be bursting at the base of these. In my garden they are considered a weed, with many underground runners that start new shoots. But here, next to the Skunk Cabbage, buttercups will be a delight.
