A Trip to Point Defiance Park

Just North of the Olympia area is the city of Tacoma.  Today we decided to take a trip up that way and go to the Point Defiance Park.  We piled the girls into the car, stuck our picnic cooler in the back and were on our way around 9:30.  It took about 30 minutes to get to the Point Defiance Park. 

Today we were just going to play in the park.  There is the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium on the grounds and the girls have gone there often.  We plan to take them to the zoo in August on one of our field trips. 

The park has miles of woodland trails that meander all over the place.  We parked the car at one spot and took time to walk on one of the forest trails.  It was a peaceful walk in the old growth forest and from time to time we could catch a great view of Commencement Bay.  

Mackenzie asked if there were bears in this forest.  I told her that I didn’t think bears were living here.  Then Bruce said, “But if a bear comes along he will only eat the person who is in the front.”   Boy, did she jump back into the third position in our little line of hikers.  Serves her right since she is always pushing her way in to be the front runner.   It was pretty funny and we all began laughing, including Mackenzie.  She’s a good sport.

 

Besides several trails in the park, there is a 5-mile drive which takes you around this small peninsula that sticks out into Puget Sound.  Our day began quite cloudy so my early pics aren’t the best.  Later as we ate lunch, the clouds blew inland and it was another beautiful day.

 

We were able to stop and get a nice view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge which goes from the Tacoma area across the sound toward Bremerton and several other communities.  The small community of Gig Harbor can be seen easily from our stop on the 5-mile drive.

 

When it was time for lunch we pulled over at a playground area that had several picnic tables on the grass.  The girls were eager to get over and play on the equipment after eating.  They had a good time and the views from the playground of Commencement Bay were great.

 

Within walking distance of the playground was a beautiful Northwest Native Garden.  The garden showcases plants indigenous to our Western Washington area.  I took several photos and the girls each took a few with my camera for the blog.

 

                                   Mackenzie took this photo….

                                    Zoey took this photo……

After this tip toe through the tulips we walked back to the car and began our drive back to Tumwater.  The girls were so fun today and they really made us laugh a lot.  They are always well behaved for us and enjoyable to be with. 

Hope everyone else had a great day today!

Until next time…..so long for now!