Today I joined a Meetup group to hike the Climber’s Loop at Mission Trails Park.
Two of us continued on along the river to the quarries..
Flora and Fauna
The hills are covered with buckwheat and sunflowers. We spotted a couple crayfish in the river and several fence lizards, plus a pair of hawks.
An enjoyable visit to Lake Murray – an easy walk, good conversation, sack lunches, and Brownie Brittle.
Today I walked around Mission Bay and along the boardwalk in Mission Beach.
There were lots of flowers out today, including some native plants.
Today I joined a Meetup group to hike the Climber’s Loop at Mission Trails Park.
Two of us continued on along the river to the quarries..
Flora and Fauna
The hills are covered with buckwheat and sunflowers. We spotted a couple crayfish in the river and several fence lizards, plus a pair of hawks.
Today I finished the Living Coast Discovery Center’s Trail to Bay Challenge (one cleanup and three hikes) with a hike at Otay Valley Regional Park.
After the hike I was awarded a pack with hiking supplies. Then I hiked over to San Diego Bay.
Wildflowers are blooming.
I signed up for the Sweetwater Safari Hike at the Discovery Center and ended up touring the facility and attending three presentations.
The live exhibits are primarily indigenous wildlife, but also animals from around the country that are not able to survive in the wild.
The first presentation was on eagles and hawks.
The Sweetwater Safari Hike was out to the bay with a guide. At one time the site was home to a factory that made gunpowder from kelp.
The second presentation was about barn owls.
The last presentation was sharks and rays.
I joined a Meetup group for my first visit to Miramar Lake. We took a nice walk and some of us brought lunches to enjoy by the lake.
There are still some wildflowers in bloom and I found some wild cucumbers.
Today our Meetup group joined a docent-led tour in downtown La Jolla.
Murals of La Jolla commissions work from artists around the world to be displayed on private property. While the majority are printed on vinyl that is then attached to existing aluminum frames, some are hand-painted, and one was printed and then applied like wallpaper.
To date they have commissioned 47 murals.
They list 16 sites in their brochure and we visited 8 of them.
The murals generally last from two to four years before they need to be replaced.
Information about them is available here.
I joined a Meetup group for a hike to Atoine Peak. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.
I started the day with a walk and “coffee” with the Frontrunners/Walkers in Kendall Yards (downtown Spokane).
I followed that with a Scuplture Walk starting on the WSU campus…
Going downtown and onto the Centennial Trail…
Into Riverfront Park…
Down to the river and back up to Monroe Street Bridge…
And back to Kendall Yards.
Information about the sculptures on the walk can be found here.
Another Meetup hike, this time near Mullan, ID. We met in Wallace then carpooled to the Stevens Lakes trailhead. The hike is pretty much up hill all the way to the lake.
The “excitement” of the first glimpses of snow didn’t last long.
It wore off pretty quickly once I was hiking through it.
It was well worth the effort, though. All seven of us made it to the lake.
After breakfast, I went on a walk with Woofy – my friend’s Bordoodle (Border Collie/Poodle).
Then I returned to Finch Arboretum for a tour with a Meetup group.
Although most of the plants and trees are sporting their spring best, today belonged to the rhododendrons.
Our path out of the park took us through the Peace Garden and by the old Willow tree.
This morning I hiked a loop at the Saltese Wetlands with my Meetup group. It was a great place to hike – very scenic with nice, flat trails and plenty of wildlife.
I returned in the afternoon to hike one of the Uplands trails with my friend Dan. This was more of a challenge but we were rewarded with fantastic views. A hailstorm hit at the end of the walk (just over two minutes from the car and we got pretty wet).
The Frontrunners/walkers met in Kendall Yards for a walk around downtown Spokane.
Then I walked to Riverside Park for Cruzin’ the Falls, part of the Lilac Festival.
Descendants of King Cole – the man behind Expo ‘74 – are participating in a 50th anniversary celebration event this morning and in the festival’s parade tonight.
Today’s hike was a new (to me) trail in the Dishman Hills Conservation Area.
Among the wildflowers along the trail were lots of wild strawberries and Chocolate Lillies.
Today I joined members of two Meetup groups for a bear safety class at the Spokane Valley Library.
A presentation by a representative from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was followed by a hands-on session (with inert spray).
Today’s short hike was to Indian Canyon Mystic Falls on the west side of Spokane.
I arrived at Hell’s Gate State Park near Lewiston, Idaho in time for a walk yesterday afternoon.
This morning we took another walk before breaking camp and heading home.
I stopped in historic downtown Lewiston and the scenic lookout on my way home.
It was the perfect day for riding Myrna (pontoon-boat) around the mill pond at Spirit Lake with great friends.
Several families were enjoying the lake as well.
My friend Dan and I drove to Wallace for the 38th annual Depot Day Car Show.
Saying “Yes” to Adventure 