Speed Boat to Blake Island

Part of the welcoming committee on Blake Island, Seattle.

More of the committee.  Blake Island was used as a camping ground by the Suquamish Tribe.  In about 1786, according to legend, it was the birthplace of Chief Sealth.  It was officially named in 1841 after George Smith Blake, then commander of the US Coastal Survey.  William Pitt Trimble acquired Blake Island in 1904 and named it Trimble Island.  At various times the island was known as High Island and Smugglers Island.  In 1936 Trimble sold the island, after the death of his wife in an accident in Seattle.  In 1959 Washington State made the entire island a state park.

When you hike the trails on Blake Island, you're going to see deer.

And so we arrive on the rocky shore after a fun speedboat ride and get our bearings by one of the campgrounds.

And we contemplated the beauty around us, gazing out onto the Sound

And in the distance, Seattle and the Space Needle.  The busy activity of the city that we left behind for a day.

Then it's time to hit the woodsy trail.  There are trails all over the island, including one that goes all around it, and including an interpretive, nature trail that  describes the Suquamish Tribe life.

Towering alder trees

Madrona trees as a gateway to the Puget Sound

A curious trail mate

A sandy beach for a picnic break

Other boats lined up along the beach while people enjoy the day on land

A picnic crasher, watchful for any wayward snacks

Island mates

Onward, back to the forest and heading back to the replica Suquamish longhouse

After a fun time in nature, now we're ready to learn even more about the Tribe history and culture

Not to mention, we're ready for a delicious alder smoked, salmon dinner.

And after dinner treated to a story telling show, featuring magnificent masks.  Highly recommend a full day on Blake Island so you can fully enjoy all aspects of the beach, forest, and longhouse, or really make memories by camping at the campgrounds

Fun for all

And sweet spanish lavendar

Al Borlin, Butterflies park

I was fortunate to find myself in Monroe, WA yesterday with a little extra time, so I took a beautiful little walk along the wonderful trails in this park.  The park was renamed after a former City Councilman, pro-tem Mayor, FFA Advisor, longtime Agriculture Teacher (26 years) and Evergreen State Fairgrounds Director (25 years). On the day of his retirement from teaching, the City declared the occasion 'Allan Borlin Day' where he was honored for his local, state and national accomplishments.

Beauty at rest on a bright, sunny day.  There were butterflies all around me on this day

Orange drop

As if there weren't enough rocks in the river bed, meditating on an artistic rendition

A momentary joy, these will be berries before you know it

There's lots of little side trails down to the river

And here's the main trail

Now that's green!

Another beauty

Idyllic.  And I was told this is an excellent fishing hole in the background.  There are also fresh water mussels found here

Keep your eyes open for wildlife when you're in Monroe, you never know where you'll find it

Cama Beach

Beautiful water overlook at Cama State Park is on the southwest shore of Camano Island and faces Saratoga Passage.  It's a 433 acre shore front and forested back, with 15 miles of hiking trails.

Just a tinge of fall showing in early October along the trail. Lots of different foliage in this forest, including pacific northwest spotted maples.

In the distance you see the rustic cabins and small general store you can stay at right on the beach.  They surround the wooden boats center, available for rent as well as fun to look at.

Forest also includes lots of these pretty pacific northwest madrones.

Picnic anyone?  Right on the beach, just outside one of the little cabins.

Plenty of sun on this October day.

Despite the sunny, warm weather we know fall is coming.  Here's one of many spotted maple leaves that have already dropped off the tree.

Great informational signs are at strategic rest spots along the trails.

The Wild Nearby

Do you love wilderness, literature, and photography? Then you’ll enjoy the latest book from Braided River, The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby. The 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act provides us with a reason to look back and ahead.

Join us for the book's launch party at the Mountaineers Program Center on October 10 to celebrate what’s been preserved in the North Cascades and to hear Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Dietrich’s take on where stewardship needs to go next.

Event Details

WHAT: Book launch of The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby
WHEN: Friday, October 10, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA‎ 98115

WHO: Hosted by The Mountaineers and supported by NPCA

TICKETS: You can purchase your tickets here.

OTHER INFO: Free parking is available at The Mountaineers Program Center. Or, take bus 75 which drops you off directly in front of the Program Center. Additional launch parties will be held later in North Cascades National Park, Everett, Twisp, and Bellingham.

Camping at Colonial Creek? Backpacking in the Sawtooths? Out for a stroll in Stehekin? Share your photos with the hashtag #wildnearby and they’ll be displayed at the book launch party.

We hope you will join us,

Sincerely,



David G. Graves
Northwest Program Manager

P.S.: Check out the Northwest Regional Office's most recent field report here (PDF, 371 KB).

A Cherry Hike

Cherry Creek Falls
hike north of Duvall, Washington




What a wonderful trail, and so close to the big cities Bellevue and Seattle, a very convenient romp in the wilderness.  Our first animal sighting was an adorable chipmunk.  It's a 5 mile round trip, nice and easy trail although it does narrow in spots.  It's a great trip for families with kids and also for groups of friends.

Look at the beautiful, sunny day we stumbled into.  Not a cloud in the sky and in fact it was in the 90's, but we did not suffer because this forested trail is mostly shaded, spotted with just a few open sunny spots and some odd humid spots along the way.  We frolicked most comfortably.

Here we go.  We enjoyed nature, and the lively company.

We made sure to stop and notice all the beauty around us.  There were plenty of butterflies along the way, including this one having a little rest.

There were several creeks that crossed the trail.  In September they were all small and no obstacle at all.  At other times of the year they could be more of a challenge.

Thank goodness for the Boy Scouts!  They have made several markers along the trail to be sure you find your way to the waterfall, including this giant rock arrow.  Of course, as you can see there's always one hiker who leaves a vivid trail marker open to interpretation.

The Cherry Creek Waterfall, wow we're already here!  This is the overlook of the beautiful falls.  This was the site of a logging camp back in the early part of the 19th century.  The falls are a 25 foot drop.

At this time of year it's split into a double falls, and there's even a small fall-let just out of the picture to the right.

One of our hikers is cooling her heels in the middle of the calm pool created at the foot of the falls.

And thanks to the Boy Scouts, nicely carved chairs for those who prefer.

Four bumps on a log in a beautiful glen.
 

A moment for reflection

Back on the trail, heading home, fashionable in red, toes point to what looks like a weed, doesn't it?  No, don't let the red cloud your judgement.  This is a northwest plantain.  The leaves can be eaten raw.
best when finely chopped or when cooked with fibers removed. Leaves are very rich in vitamin B1 and riboflavin. The plant contains anti-toxins as well.  The leaves and the seed are medicinal used as an antibacterial, antidote, astringent, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge. Seeds can be dried and ground into flour/meal.  In the Northwest it grows in a wide range of areas, including disturbed/cultivated soil in plains, foothills, and montane regions.

Creeping Bellflower along the trail is a pretty splash of color.  This was originally introduced to the Northwest from Eurasia.  It's now naturalized across the northern two-thirds of the United States and the lower half of Canada

Here we stopped for a brief orange/red flower conference.  These are actually spotted touch-me-not impatiens.  These plants can grow up to 5 feet tall.  This species can be found across the eastern United States, across Canada, and in the Pacific Northwest. The tube-shaped flowers are 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

And this trail is delightfully not just for hikers.  This happy rider and his horse named Blue were also enjoying the day, just like us!