Visit Old Alder Before it Vanishes…Again
0605, 2019

Visit Old Alder Before it Vanishes…Again

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The term “ghost town” in today’s time has evolved from its more literal interpretation to describe any small town that has been abandoned or vacated. In fact, there’s a whole culture of folks dedicated to discovering and exploring ghost towns and their history. Most of the time, however, towns devoid of inhabitants have nowhere to grow but older. Not so for old Alder. Join your fearless field guide Erich Ebel

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Get back to nature at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
2106, 2018

Get back to nature at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

This story begins in the majestically-forested foothills near Mount Rainier. Dr. David and Connie Hellyer purchased land there in 1937, and lived on it for over 40 years. In 1971, the Hellyers donated their land to the Tacoma Metropolitan Parks District, with the explicit intent to create a conservation habitat that the public could enjoy. After four years of diligent fundraising and planning, Northwest Trek officially opened its doors on July 17, 1975.

Go ride the rails at Mount Rainier
2909, 2015

Go ride the rails at Mount Rainier

One of the most enthralling aspects of Washington state – besides its snow-capped mountain vistas, panoramic ocean views, arid desert plains, and ancient lakes, rivers and forests – is the fact that there is a unique and wonderful history attached to each one. Nowhere is that arguably more evident than in the southwestern foothills of Mount Rainier. On the surface, an affordable train ride through the woods (with or without

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Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors
2304, 2014

Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors

In a split second, I knew it was a bald eagle as it shot by about ten feet overhead. I had never been that close to one in flight before. The unmistakable white markings, yellow beak and talons and gargantuan wingspan that easily distinguished it from the more common ravens and falcons in Ocean Shores were clearly visible just before it disappeared over the roofline as quickly as it had materialized.

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