Artists Salute to Wa State Parks Centennial

‘Plein Air Washington Artists’ is a group of people who love the adventure of painting outdoors. They are dedicated to the fine art of painting on location in natural light to document the diverse and breathtaking scenery of our beautiful state.

This exhibit is to honor the Washington State Parks during this Centennial year celebration.

The opening reception for this Centennial salute to Washington State Parks Art Show in Tacoma is Saturday Oct. 19 1:00 - 4:00.

The show continues to December 31st.

See details at this link - Artists Salute Information

I'm excited to see!

Mount St. Helens Climb - Beauty Above 4800 Feet

Sunday trip up to Mount St. Helens was awesome! There was snow from Timberline to the top, so it was slower going than normal. So it took awhile, and it was an ass kicker, but it was AMAZING!



My legs did hurt after this, on Monday, but how worth it!  The gain was worth the pain

Oh yeah! Visual verification of awesomeness!  The weather couldn't have turned out any better!



After the two mile gentle forest stroll to timberline, we then hit the boulder field.  Lots and lots and lots of rock - it is a volcano.  And sometimes icy on the way up.  On the way down it had warmed up so it was quite slushy and slippery.

 A permit is required to climb above 4,800 feet on Mount St. Helens year-round. Begun in 1987, the permit system helps protect the volcano and its organisms from harm, reduces crowding, and helps inform climbers regarding hazards, Leave No Trace principles, and safety.

 

 

Link with information all about Mount St. Helens permits is Mount St. Helens Institute

Dash Over to Dash Point State Park

Washington State Parks are for all kinds of creative activities. Here are painters on the beach at Dash Point State Park capturing the moment.

The Puget Sound from Dash Point Beach. Great for picnics, or lounging, or playing.

Here's to hitting the incredibly beautiful maze of trails that criss cross and  meander throughout the park. If I'd been faster with my camera, you would have seen the inquisitive white bunny on this trail. This is not the bunny from Alice in Wonderland. He paused on the trail for a few minutes as we looked at each other. When I finally remembered my camera, he did a quick escape to avoid the jogger he suddenly heard coming from the other direction.

Here's the pretty little stream that ripples alongside you on so many parts of the trails.



The scene lures you into the forest.

Beauty at your fingertips.


On my Centennial year resolution, I chose to dash over to Dash Point State Park after work on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend, to kick off my 3-day. What a lucky choice! This park is awesome and it's located so close to neighborhoods south of Seattle, I think those residents are incredibly blessed.  They know it too, using the trails for jogging and leisurely walking, and lots of fun activities.

The trails criss cross in an endearing maze, with high hedges and embracing forest. The trails are so well maintained, walking is a pleasure. You really feel like you're far away in the wilderness, but actually civilization is just an amazing few miles away. What a delightful way to get away from it all, right by the Emerald City.
 

This was 5 State Parks in 5 months!



 

Sun Over the Sound

Wait a minute! That's shimmering sunshine over the Sound on a beautiful autumn day. I'm looking across to the Olympic Peninsula from Edmonds. With this gorgeous weather, I longingly think back on great hikes I've had at Fort Townsend State Park. I think about hikes I've enjoyed at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. There are still sunny hikes to be had at this time of year in the state of Washington! I'm heading out there . . . .


Link to pictures on the Olympic Peninsula
 

Sunny Hikes Still Available



We're in Sedona for a hiking trip. Enjoying the hiking immensely. You would love it here. So scenic and SUNNY.

11 State Parks in 10 Months So Far and So Fun!

Here's the fun list for Centennial Year for Wa. State Parks:
January - Fort Townsend State Park
February - South Whidbey State Park
March - Wallace Falls State Park
April - Bay View and Padilla Bay State Park
May - Dash Point State Park
June - Millersylvania State Park and Flaming Geyser State Park
July - Pinnacles State Park
August - Deception Pass State Park and Goldendale State Park
September - Riverside State Park and Spokane Centennial Trail
October - Mt. Pilchuk State Park
November - Lake Sammamish State Park
December - Saint Edward State Park

Hit The Trail at Padilla Bay State Park

A rainy day on the trail at Padilla Bay, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm at all.  This is a shorter trail heading inland.  All the spring green was worth the rain.

Boo!  I mean Moo!  It was a happy surprise around one of the bends in the trail . . . . cows!  And some spring baby cows.

Padilla Bay State Park - A Working Research Reserve

It looks like we discovered Mr. Owl on the trail, but we found him in the fantastic Breazeale Interpretive Center. Padilla Bay State Park is all about fun education.  Displays are hands on, interactive, and beautifully laid out. Hoo - Hoo - Who would want to pass on this great opportunity to learn more about the nature all around us?  This is a real, working, Estuarine research reserve.  The Rangers and the enthusiastic volunteers are all so very nice, and knowledgeable, and eager to discuss with you.

How many bird types do you recognize?

Living, swimming, moving aquarium displays of creatures in the bay.  Close up and personal views.

Great Blue Herons at Padilla Bay State Park

Almost 250 different kinds of birds can be found at this beautiful National Estuarine research Reserve, but my very favorites are the amazing Great Blue Herons. You can almost reach out and touch them. Take the 2 mile trail along the shore of the 11,000 acres of bay. At high tide it's about 12 feet deep in the middle, at low tide it seems to be all mud. There are large seagrass meadows, and great feeding areas for all kinds of birds. A whole new meaning to a grass roots movement!

Play a game with the Park's checklist brochure and see how many wonderful birds you can spot.  Don't forget to bring your binoculars to Padilla Bay for bird watching, but you'll easily see so many without binoculars too. We visited in the spring and birds were very busy with mates and territories.

“Creativity is the Blue Heron within us waiting to fly; through her imagination, all things become possible.”
― Nadia Janice Brown