The Hiker Mama

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Othello Sandhill Crane Festival and Columbia NWR

    Othello Sandhill Crane Festival and Columbia NWR

    The kids and I did our first big road trip adventure of the season on the last weekend in March.  We heard about a bird festival over in Central Washington, we had some free time, and we decided to go.  The kids had been requesting a trip to the desert, too, and no snowshoeing, please,…

  • What Have We Been Up To?

    What Have We Been Up To?

    Our family has been busy having adventures (and busy with school, too…) and I have several posts in the works to share with you all.  I thought I’d let you know my plans!  I’m working on a report of the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival from the end of March. And I have several posts planned…

  • Another Day in Paradise

    Another Day in Paradise

    A couple of weeks ago, we had the full day on Friday to go for an adventure, and our friend Jessie was able to come along.  We decided to do a longer trip to the snow, since winter is going to give way to spring soon, and we have so few days when we can…

  • Cranberry Lake/Cama Beach State Park

    Cranberry Lake/Cama Beach State Park

    Last Friday we were able to squeeze a quick trip in between morning and evening commitments.  We’ve had many Fridays like this lately – seems we haven’t had the time we are used to having!  We took a little drive up to Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island.  I had never been there before,…

  • Lewis Creek Park, Bellevue

    Lewis Creek Park, Bellevue

    We had the chance last Friday to check out a new park (for us) over in Bellevue.  Lewis Creek Park has about 3 miles of trails on its 55 acres.  It includes wetlands, meadows, and forests. Some of the trails are paved, and some are softer surfaces.  The Visitor Center has some interesting activities and…

  • Baby Owls at the Nisqually

    Baby Owls at the Nisqually

    The internet is full of videos and pictures of cute baby animals.  We could spend our entire day on sites like Cute Overload, getting our fill of adorableness.  Or, we could take advantage of special places and times in nature, and see some cute baby animals in real time.  And among the cutest of animals,…

  • 2014 Northwest Flower and Garden Show

    2014 Northwest Flower and Garden Show

    The first weekend in February is usually the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.  This extravaganza takes place right when we are getting tired of our gloomy, grey, damp winter.  It helps us turn the corner to spring, or at least to have hope that spring is not far away.  When I first started going to…

  • 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count

    2014 Great Backyard Bird Count

    One of the ways we stay connected to nature through the seasons is by observing birds.  Even on busy days when we can’t get out for a walk, we can watch and enjoy the birds at our feeders and in our yard.  And while we’re watching this weekend, we can help scientists learn more about…

  • Heybrook Lookout Hike – 10/18/13

    Heybrook Lookout Hike – 10/18/13

    I’m posting a trip report from back in October, since it’s a nice off-season hike for warmer winter and early spring days. It was one of the last sunny, warm days we had before the weather turned more gloomy for the season.  —————————————————————————————– My kids were asking for a hike, yet they also wanted to…

  • Cedar Butte Hike – 1/24/14

    Cedar Butte Hike – 1/24/14

    We’ve had a stretch of lovely, mild weather lately.  In fact, it’s been a very dry winter.  As we were planning our hike for hike last Friday, I pulled out my new Winter Hikes card deck by Craig Romano, and gave the kids a few options to choose from.  I’m feeling motivated to try some…

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