Hike of the Week
When you have time for only a short hike, the Washington State Parks system offers many destinations, such as Tolmie State Park, a few miles northeast of Olympia. The park is open year-round with trails that wind through a saltwater marsh, beach and forest.
The 105-acre park includes 1,800 feet of shoreline, an underwater park for scuba diving, a beach, a saltwater marsh and a forest populated with wildlife. Displays at the upper picnic area and on the beach describe the ecology of the shoreline and the history of the park.
By Karen Sykes | December 15, 2005
Short Trips
The thousands of lights are mesmerizing. Poinsettias -- a holiday plant standard worldwide -- are displayed by the hundreds in heated confines behind well-lit windows for visitor enjoyment. Carolers fill the chilled evening air with familiar holiday songs. Fresh evergreen garlands line all the walkways, dressed up with colored, twinkling lights. Lots of smiling faces brighten up the scene even more.
By Jeff Larsen | December 15, 2005
