Trip 2 - Local Flavor (8/14 - 8/16)

Saturday: I knocked off the three closest parks to my house: Bridle Trails, Lake Sammamish and Squak Mountain. I had driven by Bridle Trails many times but had never been in the park. The park is used by local hikers and equestrians and includes a show ring where people can watch equestrian shows and displays. Lake Sammamish is a good chunk of beach in Issaquah that can be summed up in two words: soccer mom. Squak Mountain is an undeveloped and uncrowded park that has some interesting trails and is often a better alternative to nearby always-crowded Cougar Mountain.

Sunday: The Green River Gorge circuit. Kanaskat-Palmer and Flaming Geyser are good-sized parks located on the Green River in southern King County. Nolte is a smaller park located 5 miles from Kanaskat-Palmer and has a nice picnic area set on a lake. Federation Forest is located about 15 miles east of Enumclaw on Highway 410 and contains an interpretive center that has displays of each of the state's vegetation zones.

Monday: Prior to going to work, I dropped by Saint Edward and met with a KOMO 4 features reporter who is compiling a story on the 120 x 120 journey. Look for it on your local news soon... Saint Edward is an old stomping ground of mine, mostly because it has a few miles of mountain bike trails. Originally owned by the Diocese of Seattle, it's probably safe to say it's the only state park with a seminary, pool, gymnasium and mega big-toy that is very popular with the kids.

Visit my 120x120 site here.