Autographed By The Beetles

Day 53: A short trail from Highway 7 leads west to East Creek (a fact which has given me some amusement) and although it is used extensively by people camping illegally in the nature area, it is nevertheless a great place to go birdwatching and lichen-hunting. It also features one of the best galleries of Beetle Art I have discovered outside Mount Rainier National Park.

The artists work in secret, completing their etchings beneath bark. Only rarely do they give sneak previews; generally, viewings only follow the demise of a tree and subsequent shedding of its thick outer layer. The talented artisans residing at East Creek prefer a canvas of Douglas Fir or Hemlock to that of Alder, and have a plentiful stock on which to create their designs. Age and moisture see to it that the display in the gallery is ever-changing. Although they do not sell their works, limited-edition reverse prints may be found below the originals.