On a mid-January day, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park was a great landing spot for views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, fog on the water and the beginning of a sunset worthy of viewing. The Puget Sound area was entertained by colorful skies and fog that continues to show itself.
In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!
– Mehmet Murat ildan
If you’re looking for a free day to explore Washington State Parks (no Discover Pass required). Where would you like to go?
Saturday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, March 9 – Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday
Saturday, March 19 – Washington State Parks’ birthday
Friday, April 22 – Earth Day
Saturday, June 11 – National Get Outdoors Day
Sunday, June 12 – Free Fishing Weekend
Sunday, June 19 – Juneteenth
Saturday, Sept. 24 – National Public Lands Day
Monday, Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
Friday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Friday, Nov. 25 – Native American Heritage Day
List provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation. https://deceptionpassfoundation.org/
Another free option is to check out your local library and borrow a Discover Pass. https://www.sno-isle.org/news/want-to-see-nature-borrow-a-discover-pass-from-us/
Or purchase a Discover Pass and help support the beauty that us Washingtonians are so fortunate to enjoy. https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.
“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius
Today is December 21st, Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the shortest day of the year.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.” -Albert Camus
Do you do anything differently? Go for a run, walk outside in the elements?
How are you celebrating? I’ll be watching the Seahawks vs Rams game but at the same time I’m acknowledging the change of seasons. If you want to create a new tradition to celebrate the change of this season, a few suggestions (thanks and credit to vivobarefoot):
• Make a solstice candle. Candle kits are widely available. You could go colourful, or add warming oils like clove or cinnamon.
• Create a winter mandala or collage – you might forage for materials on a winter walk.
• Make ornaments from paper and card – and ‘bless a tree’ – our ancestors gave thanks to the gods of old by leaving gifts in the forest (if you do this, make sure to use materials that won’t litter and don’t contain plastics – like glitter).
Or maybe you’ll find time just to take 5 minutes to pause and reflect on the turning of our amazing earth.
November is a month of transition.
The morning frost exists on the remaining autumn colored leaves
as we pivot to the festive holiday season.
Autumn arrives in September. A favorite season, time of year. Check out this pic from the streets of Barcelona Spain.
It’s the last day of August,
Where did the time go?
Did your summer look like you wanted it to?
Did you do something notable this month?
Do you have something to look forward to?
Here’s to making it count! I need to follow my own advice.
I love this idea. It’s the perfect gift for those that like experiencing the beauty, nature of the Pacific Northwest. The WA State Parks Gift Card can be purchased online and used for camping, cabins, The Discover Pass (see restrictions), and more. #pnw
As June comes to a close, here in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve had record high temperatures. Higher than Miami, Dallas and other cities ever recorded. This is unprecedented as it is often hard to get tan lines before July. An example is:
Portland, OR – 116 degrees
Seattle, WA – 108 degrees
Pasco, WA – 118 degrees…since 1961
Many households do not have air conditioning here. I imagine that will slowly increase going forward. A common sense expense I think. And many will think ahead. Businesses closed, nature/plants and infrastructure took a beating. Can anyone say climate change?
What did you do to stay cool? The #pnw states are opening up! Options included being on the road, shopping in an air-conditioned store, movie theater, took a dip in the pool, bbq, a refreshing beverage, and more. I found a hand mister to be very handy, refreshing.
What will the rest of the summer bring? May our natural beauty be spared. And may the energy of #pnw thrive as we celebrate a bit of normal.
As May is coming to a close, the thing I remember most is the early wake up call from the Junco’s in the area. The Junco is my favorite bird, makes me happy and we’ve seen more this Spring than any other I think. The American robin has been plentiful as well. Funny… even though I may not be ready to be awake at 4:15 am, they like to sing their song and let us know they exist.
May is a good month to experience a spring in your step, baseball, flowers, out with the old and in with the new, the festival season, self-care, catching up with friends, and planning for the Summer ahead. There is hope. Let’s do this!
Within 4 hours reach... 