Thursday, January 26, 2023

The Vance Creek Railriders Offers a Slight Thigh Burn of Peddling Adventure

Vance Creek, located in Washington, USA, is home to the historic Vance Creek Bridge, a steel truss railroad bridge built in 1929. The bridge spans over Vance Creek in the Olympic National Forest and was used to transport logs to sawmills. Today, the bridge is a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and train track enthusiasts, offering a unique view of the bridge and the surrounding landscape.

The Vance Creek Railriders offer a scenic train ride on an old track built by the Simpson Logging Company, passing through beautiful wooded scenery and fields of foxgloves. The journey is a glimpse into the Northwest's logging history and is the last operating privately-owned logging railroad in the continental US.

To reach the Railriders, a short jaunt on a well-maintained gravel logging road to Camp 1 is required. Guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes early for a safety briefing and to adjust seating, and to wear masks during check-in and seating adjustments and when a 6' distance cannot be maintained between people outside your household group.

The railrider is a multi-seat bike that takes guests on a leisurely physical adventure through a forest, past meadows and across a meandering creek. The route includes a slight uphill grade, but there is an option for assistance if needed. The ride is suitable for all ages, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 6-8 years old may not be able to pedal. Smaller children can use a car seat.

Dress in layers and bring snacks and water when traveling in wooded areas, as the weather can change and the starting location of the railride is far from Shelton.

Overall, it's worth trying this with friends and family for a good time.

https://vcrailriders.com/

Photo courtesy of Vance Creek Railriders






Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Northwest Trek is Great outdoors adventure for friends and family

 If you haven't been to Northwest Trek, it might be worth a trip for you and your family and friends. The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a wildlife park located in Eatonville, Washington, near the city of Enumclaw. The park features a 435-acre free-roaming area where visitors can see animals such as bison, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. There is also a tram tour that takes visitors through a separate area where they can see animals such as bears, wolves, and wolverines. The park also has a number of walking trails, a playground, and picnic areas. The park is open year-round but some of the amenities may not be available due to the weather.


The tram tour at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a guided tour that takes visitors through a separate area of the park where they can see some of the animals The tour lasts about 45 minutes and covers about 7 miles of terrain. The tour guide provides information about the animals and their habitats, as well as the park's conservation efforts. The tram is open-air and visitors can take photos during the tour. The tram tour is an optional add-on to the general admission, and it is not included in the general admission price. It runs on certain days and times, and it is a good idea to check the schedule and availability in advance.

It is a special treat indeed. Fun for the whole family.













































Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Kayaking around Fox Island and the Gig Harbor area is fabulous fun!

Fox Island is a small island located in Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Kayaking around the island offers a chance to explore the many bays and inlets that surround it, as well as the natural wildlife that calls the area home. Some of the views are incredible, especially with Mt Rainier(Mt Tahoma) in the background. The waters around Fox Island are known for their calm conditions, making them ideal for kayaking. Some popular spots for kayaking around Fox Island include the Fox Island Spit, which is a great place to see a variety of bird species, and the Fox Island Bridge, which offers a great view of the surrounding area. Other nearby kayaking destinations in Gig Harbor area are Gig Harbor itself, Cutts Island State Park( Dead Man's Island), Kopachuck State Park and the Nisqually Delta.

I really enjoy kayaking around the place where I call home. Make sure you check out the video of the seal jumping on my daughter's kayak. I've never seen nor experienced that ever before.

If you have anything to add. Please do!





























The Vance Creek Railriders Offers a Slight Thigh Burn of Peddling Adventure

Vance Creek, located in Washington, USA, is home to the historic Vance Creek Bridge, a steel truss railroad bridge built in 1929. The bridge...