Expectations can really play a powerful role in your end feelings and immediate impressions of an outing or adventure.

Some background: After running the Seattle half marathon last November, I got into a running rut, which really means for whatever reason after the big event, I stopped running.  Sure I walked, chased after Bergen, went on an occasional hike, but I wasn’t taking any time to really exert myself in a run even though it takes little to no planning at all.

A couple of months ago, I changed that by setting a goal and signing up for a race. Instead of the usual road race, I opted for something new, something I’ve thought about doing in the past, but never worked hard enough to achieve.  I decided to give trail running a try, and what better way get started than to commit yourself to a half marathon trail run?

In order to make this first run happen, I needed to make it a family affair.  I would run, and Slaed would hike with Bergen in the backpack carrier.  I scoured my hiking books for the perfect spot.  It needed to be within 30-45 minutes driving distance, new to us, good for kids, and EASY.

I found the Twin Falls trail in Olallie State Park to fit all of our requirements.

At about 35 miles East of Seattle it was an easy drive down I-90.  Bergen indeed got a little impatient, but we just kept telling him that we were headed to an amazing state park with a waterfall and he would soon be outside free to roam and wander.

It’s funny that given the proximity and circumstances of the trail and scenery that we’d never visited Olallie State Park or Twin Falls.  When we arrived and saw how many cars were lining the parking lot, we were even more surprised.

Relatively low mileage to the main attraction, some good stretches of flat terrain, and the overall excitement of viewing a gushing waterfall (from a nice, safe bridge with solid railings) make this a great spot for kids. There are also benches along way for breaks, and at the beginning or on the way back, there are great spots to stop along the river to watch the water roll by & throw rocks.

Remember that bit above about expectations? Well, all the books & websites said this hike was going to be EASY.  Apparently when you go out for your first true trail run in a long time, it’s just going to be really tough no matter what.  Hiking is also a little tougher when you have a toddler on your back in a backpack carrier.  I guess when we saw that the hike was rated as EASY, we were thinking it would be “a walk in the park”.  We also didn’t just hike/run to the waterfall and go back.  I continued my run for a total of about 6 miles round trip while Slaed & Bergen hiked about 4 miles.

Our expectations of what the hike and run would be like may have been different from the reality, but we’re so happy to have discovered this spot for ourselves.  I just had to change up my strategy a bit.  I took some walk breaks, especially after some tough switchbacks, and also took some breaks just to enjoy the scenery instead of trying to plow through without stopping.  I’m new at this, maybe that’s what your supposed to do?

Check out more of Kate’s adventures!
She recently hiked at Obstruction Pass State Park on Orcas Island.

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Mud up to your shoulders, armed with a shovel and clams on the brain…digging for geoduck is a must in the Pacific Northwest. These two-pound giant king clams are a worldwide delicacy, and abundant in Washington’s Puget Sound. The process of digging the clams is a family adventure not to miss this summer.

You’ll immediately recognize these strangely shaped clams by their oblong shells and extremely long siphons (also called a neck). Its meat is often prepared fried, sautéed and raw as sashimi. They’re often compared to razor clams in taste and texture.

If you’ve come across strange, enormous clams in a specialty market, they’re probably geoducks.

So, where do you find geoduck?

The trick is to head out to Puget Sound and Hood Canal public beaches at tides lower than -2.0 feet. ‘Geoduck’ means “dig deep,” with clams living at depths anywhere from 18 inches to four feet below the beach surface. Dosewallips, Fort Flagler, Penrose Point, Hope Island and Blake Island state parks are home to popular natural geoduck beds.

Harstine Island State Park is another great place to start digging for geoduck.

Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need for this adventure:

• Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet – Clam seasons vary from beach to beach, so check opening dates annually. You’re limited to the first three clams you harvest, no matter the size.

• WDFW shellfish license – Harvesting geoduck in Washington requires a shellfish license. Purchase yours online or from a WDFW authorized licensed vendor.

• Tide chart – Low tides are essential for finding these tasty clams.

• Tools for digging – Geoducks are harvestable by hand-operated tools only. Be sure to remove the entire clam from the muddy sand. It’s unlawful to take just the neck! Some diggers prefer using a shovel or posthole digger.

• Geoduck tube – A big metal or plastic tube can help prevent the sides of your hole from collapsing. Find tips for the best tube options on WDFW’s geoduck guide.

• Bucket or bag- For transporting your catch from the beach.

• Mud-worthy clothing – You’ll get thoroughly wet and dirty on this adventure. Towels are a must for the drive back home.

How to spot a geoduck

There are two methods for finding geoducks. Some harvesters go out before the tide is at its lowest. Siphons of geoducks may be extending into the tidal waters. This makes it easy to mark where clams are located before you start digging.

As the tide goes out, siphons of geoduck may protrude from the mud.

Others wait until the tide is fully out. Telltale signs of geoducks are “shows” or oblong “dimples” in the sand.

Dig, dig, dig!

The muddy fun begins once you’ve located your target. Center your geoduck tube on the area you spotted a siphon. Force the tube into the sand as far as you can. The siphon of the clam will retract downward, but don’t worry – the geoduck itself can’t move. Carefully dig a hole toward the clam and push your tube down as you go. Just don’t slice the clam’s neck as you work!

Mark your geoduck show, then start digging out that clam!

Finish the dig with your hands or with a small trowel or coffee can after the siphon is fully exposed. By this time you’ll be shoulder deep in mud. Feeling shell under your fingers is a sure sign that you’re ready to wiggle the clam free. Pull by the shell to free your find!

After the catch

Place your geoduck in a bucket of seawater or cover it with a wet cloth before basking in the glory of your catch. You’ll need to keep the clam wet on the trip home. Pull your tube from the hole and fill it back in with sand.

Cleaning your geoduck

Remove the visceral mass and the tough skin of the clam prior to cooking. For tips and tricks, check out WDFW’s guide to cleaning and preparing geoduck. Or watch this YouTube video of Hung Huynh, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 3, going over the step-by-step process.

WDFW’s guide has it all…
Find the complete guide to digging and cleaning geoducks on their website.

Mark your calendar!
The next tides low enough for geoduck digging are 9:45 a.m. June 21, 10:32 a.m. June 22 and 11:19 a.m. June 23. Access tide charts by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on this interactive map.

Have a state park geoduck harvesting story?
Share your photos, story and tips with us using the Share Your Story portal.

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Photos courtesy of Amy Halligan (Feature photo), Michelle Chlebk (Geoduck in tank photo), ario_ (Harstine Island geoduck digger and geoduck show marking photos) and Craig Damlo (Geoduck siphon photo).

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Until recently Jake and I worked very different schedules – I always had weekends off, he never did.

Then luckily he was relocated to another branch and suddenly we could spend our days off together. One of the first things we decided to do was buy a Discover Pass so we could begin to explore the beautiful area we live in.

For the first time this season, we were able to spend the entire day enjoying the outdoors. We weren’t exactly sure where we were going but eventually found a parking area, jumped out of the car and hit the trail. About 1/2 a mile in, mid conversation, Jake grabs me from behind and whispers to be quiet. Suddenly a snake slithers across the path right in front of me!! Being kind of a wimp I panicked and convinced myself to buy a snake bite kit (and Bear Spray, just in case ) as soon as we returned to town. Needless to say, the rest of the hike was BEAUTIFUL and relaxing.

We spent about 3 hours at Riverside State Park and promised we would return as soon as possible. I feel so blessed to live in such an incredible area – one minute you’re shopping at Nordstrom, the next your barefooted in the river! I am so excited for this summer – thank you for working to so hard to provide us with opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors!

Until next time,

 -Ashley
Spokane, Washington

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Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

Take in the spectacular view from Dry Fall Overlook.

Martha T. snapped this shot from Dry Falls Overlook during a road trip from Mount Vernon to Spokane. Green pockets of plant life line the lakes of Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, located in the heart of Washington’s Channeled Scabland. Pops of lush green against refreshing blue skies and stark, earth-toned basalt walls are striking in early summer – which is why this vista view is our photo of the week.

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park a great destination for natural history discover, a desert park hike and overnight group adventures. The more than 4,000-acre camping park is home to Dry Falls. It’s a former waterfall that was once four times the size of Niagara Falls.

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Photo by Martha T.

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Dogs, cats and even llamas: Your hiking pal is welcome in nearly every Washington state park. Grab a leash – and something to pick up those trail whoopsies – and start exploring!

Camano Island State Park

Just southwest of Stanwood, the easy looping trails of Camano Island State Park transverse both forest and saltwater shoreline. Explore the Al Emerson Nature Trail under the canopy of tall stands of cedar and Douglas fir or take the Loop Trail for a longer excursion through the forest. If a beach walk is more your style, stroll along North Beach. Dip your toes into Saratoga Passage and feel the sand beneath your feet – or paws. Before you go, snap a photo of your faithful company with a Puget Sound backdrop framed by the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier.

Beach walk or forest hike? At Camano Island State Park, you can have both!

Download the Camano Island State Park map and start exploring these trails today!

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park sits along the jagged basalt edges of the Columbia River Gorge. Carved by the Ice Age floods and home to the Vantage Petrified Forest, the park is a registered national natural landmark.

Hike with you adventure sidekick along the gentle curves of the Tree of Stone interpretive trail. The trail winds through the desert landscape to an ancient fossil bed. More than two-dozen petrified logs are on display—actual trees of stones! Looking for a more challenging hike? The park offers three miles of hiking trail over rocky hills. Just be sure to take along water for you and your pet.

Desert hiking in Eastern Washington offers open skies and a rolling landscape.

Remember to download the park map before you go!

Iron Horse State Park

This park is a serious hiking and backpacking destination. Iron Horse State Park used to be part of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad. It’s more than 100 miles of trail stretching from North Bend to the Columbia River. Better known as the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, this behemoth trail system crosses a number of ecosystems and environmental zones—even a few other state parks. Whether you’re near Seattle, Ellensburg or somewhere in between, there’s likely a trailhead near you.

Long distance backpacking adventures are great for larger pets.
Just remember to keep all four-legged friends on a leash or lead!

Start your adventure by checking out the park’s east and west trail map.

Joseph Whidbey State Park

Joseph Whidbey State Park is an ideal beachside park for a short, easy hike—perfect for smaller pets. Walk the two loop trails just inland before enjoying one of the best beaches on Whidbey Island. Or take the half-mile ADA trail for a smooth path for you and your best friend. Come for a walk and stay for the view. You’ll see the San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from this northwest Washington hidden gem.

Leave boot and paw prints in the sand at Joseph Whidbey State Park.

Want a handy park map? Download the Joseph Whidbey State Park map here!

Leadbetter Point State Park

For a quiet hike on the Long Beach Peninsula, try Leadbetter Point State Park. It’s situated on the northern tip of Long Beach with more than seven miles of hiking trail. Revered for being a remote, pet-friendly beach access site on the Pacific Coast, the Dune Loop Trail is a fan favorite. This trail takes you through lowland forest area, around the cedar wetland of Stackpole Slough and along the sandy shore of Willapa Bay. Once you hit the sand, your travel companion will love wading in the cool bay waters.

Run along trails through rustling dune grass to the seclude beach of Leadbetter Point State Park.

Millersylvania State Park

South of Olympia, Millersylvania State Park is full of winding trails through old-growth cedar and fir trees. A series of fitness trails are just the adventure for any outdoor explorer and their pet. Start from the parking area by the Deep Lake dock, and then take your pick of trailheads leading into the forest. Head towards the swimming area to see the Civilian Conservation Corps bathhouse constructed by hand in 1935. After you hike, take your four-legged pal to the dock and watch bluegill and trout swim in the clear water.

Hang out at Deep Lake after a trek through the old-growth forest.

Plan your trail hike in advance by downloading the park map.

Mount Spokane State Park

Dedicate a full day of trail exploration when you plan your adventure to Mount Spokane State Park. Near Spokane, it’s a trail abundant park located high in the Selkirk Mountains. A hike at Day Mountain Trail is a great pick for outdoor adventurers and pets alike. The trail begins on the northwest side of the park, scaling up the mountainous terrain of Day Mountain. Take in the fresh air as you pass through densely forested areas and past granite rock outcroppings. During the middle of the week, you and your hiking partner just may have acres of wilderness to yourself.  

Take advantage of forested lower trails or challenge yourself to a higher elevation hike for an amazing view.

Find the Day Mountain trail on this handy park map.

Saint Edward State Park

Searching for a pet-friendly hike near Seattle? Our pick is Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore. There are a variety of short, fun trails to choose from and most take you through the park’s dense lowland forest.

Start your hike under the canopy of tall evergreen trees by taking Seminary Trail, just northwest of the parking lot. This trail meets up with the Beach Trail and a stretch of lakeside beach. From here, you’ll see the hustle and bustle of urban living on the opposite shore of Lake Washington. Let your hiking buddy take a dip in the smooth waters, and then continue up the beach. Your feet will lead you east to North Trail. Admire the rich greens of fern, moss and other undergrowth foliage. Chipmunks, squirrels and even deer are often seen in this secluded corner of the park. Finish your hike by taking the Perimeter Trail to where you started your adventure.

Saint Edward State Park has a trail system perfect for customizing your hiking route.

See all the trails Saint Edward State Park has to offer by downloading the trail map.

Westport Light and Westhaven state parks

The city of Westport is a popular beach destination. Just minutes away from this seaport are five amazing state parks. Closest are Westport Light and Westhaven state parks, connected by a 0.3-mile paved trail along the sand dunes. Grab your leash and man’s best friend for a leisurely stroll with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Start at Westport Light State Park and let the ocean breezes rustle through your hair. As you head north on the trail, you’ll run into ocean viewpoints and educational panels with local history and area marine life. The gentle twists of the trail lead you to Westhaven State Park, where you’ll see surfers just south of the jetty. Turn back for a short hike or move onward into the city. The boardwalk extends all the way to the marina.

Waving dune grass and panoramic Pacific Ocean views guide are the highlight of this hike.

Here’s a trail map of the boardwalk.

Caroline’s 16-year-old cat enjoying a walk on Waikiki Beach.

Know before you go
Be sure to follow these state park rules when exploring with your pet:

• Pets must be under physical control at all times on a leash no more than eight feet long.
• Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Have bags and a trowel ready!
• Pets are welcome on state park beaches; please keep them out of designated swimming areas.

Safety first!
Check out the Washington Trail Association’s Hiking with Dogs guide. It’s directed towards adventure buddies of the canine variety, but their hiking ten essentials apply to all pets.

What’s your favorite state park hiking trail for pets?
Share your photos and story with us here on Adventure Awaits!

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Photos courtesy of hermitsmoores (Feature photo of Dash Point State Park), Amit Chattopadhyay (Camano Island photo), Henry Huey (Ginkgo Petrified Forest photo), Gene Bisbee (Iron Horse photo), Sean Dustman (Joseph Whidbey photo), Andrew Becraft (Leadbetter Point photo), Mike (Millersylvania photo), Scott Thomas (Saint Edward photo) and Caroline (Cat on Waikiki Beach).

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“The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray” is a quote from Robert Burns, and I think it’s a good way to begin the rundown of my last hike. 

Killing time at the ferry terminal…Jewell is getting a snack.

A side-note before I begin; I looked up this quote because I never knew the full version. I would always say, “the best laid plans, right?”, knowing it meant no matter how well you plans things, you can never guarantee a good outcome.  I had no idea the quote is from a poem, where Robert is apologizing to a mouse for accidentally plowing up his nest, and is the source for the title of the famous John Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men. So, thank you Google for that little history lesson.

Not exactly sure what ‘two drews’ are…but you may be looking at them.

This hike took some extra “best laid plans”, because two of my girlfriends were coming, and we had to catch a ferry.  “Herding cats” is how we always describe trying to co-ordinate an outing together, therefore I was so proud that even though I picked up each gal at her house (two opportunities for plans to go awry) we were ahead of schedule.  I didn’t read anywhere that we needed to be at the ferry terminal any earlier than an hour prior to loading–so we were golden…NOT. 

Finding our ‘center’ in the middle of town.

The ferry to Orcas Island is a popular one–apparently even on a Thursday.  Indeed, it’s so popular that people who wanted to catch the 12:30 ferry couldn’t get on and had to wait for the 2:00…which meant no room for the people thinking they were good for the 2:00.  This problem compounded to the tune of a four hour wait for poor us.  Since we didn’t happen to bring night vision goggles along, (heck, we didn’t even have a decent flashlight between the three of us) we knew our 6 mile hike up Mount Constitution was a bust. Not really…just a bust for that day.

Mount Baker barely in view

Luckily, we had reservations at Moran Sate Park, so we still had Friday to do our hike.  The unlucky part was knowing clouds were coming in the next day, and would obscure the amazing view on top–which was kind of the whole point.  Plus, we were hoping to spend Friday exploring the cute little shops…you really don’t want to mess with a girl’s shopping time!

Mount Constitution

Since our itinerary was shot (and trust me, I had one written out…it’s my one area of OCD, and I’m ok with that) we couldn’t decide what we should do. Stop in town even though most the shops are closed? Why not! Eat dinner at a restaurant because it’s so late and who wants to bother cooking camp food? Hard to argue with that.

View of the San Juan Islands

But again…any attempt at ‘best laid plans’ were immediately going astray as we found each restaurant packed to the gills. (another expression I use with no idea as to where it came from, but I’m sure it would be interesting to Google it)  Should we cheat, and drive to the top of Mount Constitution to get good pictures before actually hiking it? (I like the word ‘improvise’ better)  As you can see from the pictures, we all decided improvising was the way to go.

From the summit of Mount Constitution

Something magical happened when we were up top and the light was almost gone…the ‘night hawks’ came out.  Here is a quote from Wikipedia:

“A night hawk is a nocturnal bird…the flight of the Common Nighthawk is erratic and jerky, as it attempts to prey on various flying insects. The white bands on its underwings are easily seen as it flies in the evening, at an altitude that is often well above the treetops. Also of note is nighthawks’ mating ritual. Males will gain considerable altitude, then perform a power dive; as they pull up from the dive, the wings make a sudden, low sound that is called “booming.”

A nocturnal bird…who knew? (besides owls, of course) But one thing’s for sure, they were amazing to watch. I wish I would have tried to record it on my new camera, but I was too caught up in the moment.

We were true to our word, and did the hike the next day even with our preview the night before.  I worried that it would seem anti-climactic, but it wasn’t.  Every part of the hike up was amazing, and I loved every second.

And so I come to a very substantial hiking lesson, and appropriately it’s the big #20…when plans go awry, there is no need to worry.  Sometimes the very best of plans are the ones you make on the fly.

Hilary’s husband commented “You can’t call it a hike if there is a store at the end”. Maybe, but we still bought commemorative tee shirts.

We were true to our word, and did the hike the next day even with our preview the night before.  I worried that it would seem anti-climactic, but it wasn’t.  Every part of the hike up was amazing, and I loved every second.

Want to see Kelly’s full blog about Moran State Park?
Check it out at 50 Days, 500 Miles, and 5 States When I Turn 50.

Did you catch her story about hiking at Mount Pilchuck State Park?
Find it here on Adventure Awaits!

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Attended the Salish Sea Native American Heritage Day is June 8 at Deception Pass State Park.

Canoe rides were a part of the Eighth Annual Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration.

View of the canoe rides.

Ate fry bread and smoked salmon – Awesome!! Heard drumming and chanting – Awesome as well. Lovely people. Explored more of the beaches and found the three ponds in Deception Pass State Park! What a great day!

The Samish and Swinomish tribes shared music and traditional arts.

 -Marie Jamieson
Sequim, Washington

Want to have your own state park event adventure?
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Here are some surefire ideas to help prevent summertime boredom. Washington state has millions of acres of state-managed outdoor recreation areas to explore – with most just a short 1- to 2-hour drive away. So pack a picnic, wrangle up the kids and take a road trip!

Toddlers and pre-schoolers

Head to the ocean for hours of beach exploring. Spy on critters in the tide pools, fly a kite or just run up and down the beach splashing in the water. Enjoy your picnic on the dunes while keeping a lookout for shorebirds, such as loons and sandpipers. Your little ones will surely sleep sound after this adventure.

Toddlers and preschools love exploring the beach at Deception Pass State Park.

Here’s a few beach spots to try:

• Deception Pass State Park
• Dosewallips State Park
• Larrabee State Park
• Pacific Beach State Park
• Saltwater State Park

Grade-schoolers

Washington state parks offer lighthouses, old fort batteries and natural wonders to climb, touch and explore. Or check out a fun family event at state parks throughout the summer.

Explore the depths of Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park.

Hands-on fun awaits for you at these state parks:

• Cape Disappointment State Park
• Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park
• Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
• Fort Casey State Park
• Fort Worden State Park
• Lime Kiln Point State Park

Tweens and teens

Unplug your tween or teen from their smartphones, tablets and gaming systems, then gather up their friends for active outdoor fun! Washington has some of the best places to go for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing and swimming. There is something for everyone with varying degrees of difficulty from beginners to experts. Or try geocaching as part of the Washington State Parks Centennial GeoTour- a great way to spend a warm summer afternoon.

Tweens and teens can test out their photography skills on a backpacking adventure.

Sneak in some exercise while having a great time in Washington’s great outdoors at these spots:

• Battleground Lake State Park
• Cama Beach State Park
• Capitol State Forest – DNR area*
• Millersylvania State Park
• Moran State Park
• Reiter Foothills – DNR area*
• Riverside State Park
• Tiger Mountain – DNR area*

With so much to do, be sure to purchase an annual Discover Pass. You’ll paid for it in just three day trips to state-managed outdoor recreation areas. That’s the best family entertainment value around – less than taking a family of four to the movies just one time.

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Photos courtesy of Krispijn Larrison (Feature photo of Fort Worden), Brad Greenlee (Deception Pass photo), Thomas Schrantz (Gardner Cave photo), Charles Miles (Moran photo).

*Capitol State Forest, Reiter Foothills and Tiger Mountain are managed by our friends at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Find more info about these cool recreation sites on the DNR website.

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