Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road, off Mount Angeles Road. When I worked in Seattle a few years ago, we wanted to see this area but happened to be closed the days we were there. Fortunately, this time we made it to the top.

Hurricane Ridge has a number of hiking trails, from ridgetop traverses to steep trails that descend to subalpine lakes and valleys. The weather constantly changing along with the terrain.

Sometimes you have to change the direction of your hike. We chose to go to a lower elevation.

As we hiked thru the rainforest, we only saw a couple of other people and it was eerie at timesIt turned out to be quite a day of being outdoors.

Gig Harbor to Point Defiance Park inTacoma

The Cushman Trail in Gig Harbor in southern Kitsap Peninsula the over the Narrows Bridge and on to Point Defiance Park is a great day outing. Often people get lost once they cross the bridge and have to take the road to the park.

Looping around the outer rim of the park is Five Mile Drive. The entire path is paved and has stopping points so you can take in the impressive views of the water, surrounding islands and landmasses, mountains, and the Narrows Bridge.

These gardens are free to enter and feature pools, a waterfall, a bridge, and lovely landscaped flowers and trees. At the center of the gardens is the Pagoda, a temple-inspired structure built in 1914

Fort Nisqually is a living history museum perfect for a family day out. Volunteers and staff members dress up as historical figures going about daily activities of the 1800s. We attended the Taste Of Tacooma and had bands and lots of food.

Stowe and Smuggler's Notch

The ride up to Stowe resort from the town is a bit steep but breath taking. It gives you time to think about things. That could be that it was easier than talking. The climb got steeper and more narrow as we headed to Smuggler's Notch.

I have got a couple of chances to spend time in Vermont. Once, working at Rutland Medical Center as a traveling ICU nurse for 3 months and loved the bike rides and hikes we took.

Just as the leaves were reaching their peek colors, the rain started and in no time they were on the ground.

Burlington Vermont has a great campground on Lake Champlain along the bike path that we hope to return to someday.

I feel as if I hit the jackpot to have a partner in life that loves and aspires to the same things in life, riding our bikes, hiking and traveling. I guess that is what it is all about. Who knew?

Fall in Vermont and bridges

Mike is from Vermont and would always tell me how different the fall was there than Colorado. But the window for the viewing of the colors was short.

We flew into Burlington and picked up some bikes and rack at a local shop before heading to Rutland to see his family.

Then we stopped along the way at farmer's markets to get some homemade apple pie. Of course, we had to sample the cookies with the maple topping. But we always seem to feel the bike riding makes up for what we eat. Maybe not.