You could almost get lost paddling the bird-rich, turtle-crazy cattail corridors that surround Foster Island in the Washington Park Arboretum -- except for that damned floating freeway and its wheels-on-concrete- internal- combustion commotion.
Paddling a canoe or kayak around Foster Island -- deep into the Arboretum's wetlands -- is a decades-old Seattle tradition, and a fairly convincing demonstration that a flourishing, biologically rich ecosystem can coexist with rampant roadways and mass humanity.
By Greg Johnston | March 31, 2005
Hike of the Week
Lower Gray Wolf Trail No. 834 in the Olympic National Forest is more an experience than a workout hike. Despite road building and extensive logging, the Lower Gray Wolf River is protected and this section of the forest still feels wild and primitive.
Most of this section of the river lies within the Buckhorn Wilderness Area -- the Upper Gray Wolf is within Olympic National Park.
By Karen Sykes | March 31, 2005
Short Trips
PORT TOWNSEND -- This charming, Victorian seaport is a day-tripper's paradise that extends far beyond Water Street's stylish boutiques and quaint architecture.
With the tourist season not yet in full roar, now's a good time to make like a local and explore beaches, diners and parks that are insider favorites.
For starters, stop by tiny Jefferson County International Airport, a one-strip airfield four miles south of Port Townsend, off state Route 19. Its Spruce Goose Cafe is renowned for great food and a front-row view of small plane comings and goings.
By Cecelia Goodnow | March 31, 2005
WINTHROP — We don't wait to spot an ice-cream-cone-lickin' tourist to declare spring in these parts, but just for the record, when the North Cascades Highway reopened from its snowbound winter closure on March 10 — the earliest opening ever — the first ice-cream cone was sold less than two hours later at Sheri's Sweet Shop.
Other important harbingers of spring had declared themselves at least two weeks earlier.
By Karen M. West | March 31, 2005
