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Archives for January 2019

Hike Report: Soos Creek Trail from Soos Creek Park

January 28, 2019 by Tiffany Guerzon

Soos Creek Trail from Soos Creek Park

Soos Creek Trail is a 6 mile paved path in the Kent/Renton area that winds through wetlands, fields, forest and over Soos Creek. This post  highlights the section that begins at Soos Creek Park, located off of Kent Kangley Road east of Lake Meridian Park. For google map directions, click here.

This section of the Soos Creek Trail is really pretty with more forest and creek views than wetland, and perfect for strollers. It is a multi use trail, so you will see lots of dogs and even horses. Although this path is bike friendly, I would recommend only bringing bikes for the kids if they are strong peddlers. Some of the hills are pretty steep and might prove to be a hard ride for little legs.

This trail head offers a small parking lot and a Port O Potty if you need to make a quick pit stop before starting your walk.

Keep an eye on your kiddos here, there is a crosswalk, but no light.

About .4 miles in you will walk over a pretty bridge, then cross the street to continue.

You might even get to see some horses.This section is really pretty with lots of trees and views of the creek. It also has some rolling hills, one of which is pretty steep.

We saw a few ducks paddling around.

There is another bathroom stop, clearly marked with signs. Hang a left at the roundabout in the path to get to another Port O Potty. After your bathroom break, hit the trail again and continue on until you reach the next trail head. If you make a U turn here, this hike will be about 2 miles in total.

Make a U turn here for a 2 mile walk.

Here’s another report on a different part of Soos Creek Trail–and stay tuned for a post on the last section of this popular spot.

Hike Report: Soos Creek Trail from Gary Grant Park

 

Hike Report: Soos Creek Trail from Gary Grant Park

January 26, 2019 by Tiffany Guerzon

Hike Report: Soos Creek Trail from Gary Grant Soos Creek Park 

13660 SE 208th St, Kent

Soos Creek Trail in Kent is a 6-mile paved trail which winds through wetlands, forest, plains and over Soos Creek. There are four different trail heads to access this popular path, on this hike we started at the Soos Creek Gary Grant Park trail head and walked two miles. I like this entrance because it has a bigger parking lot than other trail heads, a bathroom and a children’s playground. This is a multi use trail, so it is great for walkers, strollers, scooters or bikes. Dogs are welcome, too!

 

 

Start your hike at the sign and take the paved path on the left.

 

 

The entire trail is paved, and boardwalks over sections of wetland add variety.

Cross an elevated boardwalk over the wetlands and you will soon come to a crosswalk. Cross the street, and then turn left and continue along the street until you reach the next trail entrance on your right.

Once you get going in this area, there are some rolling hills to give you a leg workout.

At the next fork in the path, take a right. This will lead you over another boardwalk. For a 2 mile out-and-back walk, continue to the next boardwalk and then make a U turn.

Once you are done, the kids can play while the parents relax on the benches near the play area. There is a small area for ages 2-5 and a larger structure for ages 5-12 year old’s.

         

Stay tuned for more posts on other sections of this popular trail!

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do January 26th and 27th

January 25, 2019 by Maegen Blue

 

What to Do This Weekend

Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this Saturday or Sunday?

Welcome to our guide to free and affordable family fun all over the South Puget Sound! We have one just like it up every Friday! This weekend, you can see Sesame Street, meet Daniel Tiger, explore an area park with a naturalist, or hit up a fun and free event at your library. Read on for all of that and more!

South Sound Kid's Calendar [Read more…]

South Sound Weekend Kids Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do January 19th and 20th

January 18, 2019 by Maegen Blue

 

What to Do This Weekend

Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this Saturday or Sunday?

Welcome to our guide to free and affordable family fun all over the South Puget Sound! We have one just like it up every Friday! This weekend you can look at trains, reptiles, or ice carvings. How’s that for variety? We’ve also found theater, films, and a free Recess Monkey concert. Or maybe you’d like to meet a falcon at the library? Read on for all that and more!

South Sound Kid's Calendar

[Read more…]

South Sound Weekend Kids Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do January 11th, 12th, and 13th

January 11, 2019 by Maegen Blue

 

What to Do This Weekend

Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this weekend?

Welcome to our guide to free and affordable family fun all over the South Puget Sound! We have one just like it up every Friday! This weekend’s highlights include a fun event at the STAR Center in Tacoma Saturday, the return of library story times, a live dive experience with Harbor WildWatch in Gig Harbor, and more! We’re especially excited for Bedknobs and Broomsticks on the big screen Sunday! Read on for all of it. As always, it’s organized by day and area, and I do appreciate you using the links to confirm details before you go!

South Sound Kid's Calendar

[Read more…]

Washington State Parks Free Days 2019

January 9, 2019 by Maegen Blue

 

When are Washington State Parks Free?

Are you wondering when you can go to Washington State Parks or our area national parks for free? You need a one day or annual pass  called a Discover WA Pass to use Washington State Parks, except for on these special free days when no pass is required! We have the list of all of this year’s free park dates so you can mark them on your calendar. We also have the free dates for national parks below, too!

Discover Pass Free Days

Washington State Parks offers several “free days” when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park. Following are the 2019 State Parks free days:

2019 State Parks Free Days

  • Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
  • Jan. 21— Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • March 19 — State Park’s 105th birthday
  • April 20— Spring day
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • June 1 — National Trails Day
  • June 8 — National Get Outdoors Day (State Parks and Fish & Wildlife free day)
  • June 9 — Fishing Day (State Parks and Fish & Wildlife free day)
  • Aug. 25 — National Park Service 102nd Birthday
  • Sept. 28— National Public Lands Day
  • Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
  • Nov. 29— Autumn day

Please note, free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities). A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife on these days. Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season.

Fee Free Days Washington state parks and national parks

The nature trail at Dash Point State Park

If you decide you want to purchase a Discover Pass, you can buy them online, from over 600 licensed vendors, from the Department of Licensing when you renew your license, at state parks where representatives are present, and at over 80 retail locations.

Two of our favorite South Sound Washington State Parks are Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Tolmie near Olympia and Kopachuck near Gig Harbor are also great. We’d love to hear about your favorites, too. Leave a comment and spill!

There are also some days when you can get free entry to national parks! Note that as of this writing, many national parks, including Mt. Rainier, are closed due to the partial government shutdown, so don’t go now, but do mark your calendar. 

When Are The Fee Free Days at National Parks?

Fee Free Days 2016 Washington State Parks and National Parks

Hiking at Olympic National Park

2019 Free Days at National Parks

  • January 21st Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. bday
  • April 20th First day of National Park Week
  • August 25th National Park Service Birthday
  • September 28th National Public Lands Day
  • November 11th Veterans Day

More Great Ways To Enjoy The Outdoors For Free

4th Graders FREE to National Parks

In case you haven’t heard, the Every Kid in a Park Initiative is an amazing effort that allows all 2018-2019 4th graders and their families free access to national parks every day. You can use your free pass for everyone in the car, and it’s good all the way through August! An amazing deal! You can get more information and your pass, right here. 

5th Grade Ski Passport

If you’ve got a 5th grader and are planning to travel to Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho, your child can get a FREE ski passport to ride or ski at participating slopes. Get all the info at the 5th Grade Ski Passport site.

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What are some of your favorite state or national parks to enjoy with your kiddos?

Write for Us

January 5, 2019 by Maegen Blue

Would you like to write for Sounds Fun Mom?

If you love exploring the South Sound with your kids, why not make a little money by sharing your experiences and tips with parents like you?

I pay 25.00 for most posts. They don’t have to be long. In fact, 500 words is usually plenty. They should also include two to three photos, but clear shots from your phone are just fine! It is a must that they be well written, include all the handy tips we need, and be absolutely original and accurate.

If you’d like to give it a try, send an email to soundsfunmom@gmail.com, and tell me a bit about yourself and the kinds of posts you’d be interested in writing. There is no need to send anything other than this introductory email right now. If your ideas are a good fit, I’ll be in touch. Don’t fret if this takes a while.

You may also want to read some popular posts from contributors to get an idea of what works well.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

Here’s a post about a local playground from Tabitha

Here’s a post about Oktoberfest from Amy

Here’s a post about Steel Lake Park and playground from Julie

Here’s a post about Deep Lake from Tiffany

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do January 4th, 5th, and 6th

January 4, 2019 by Maegen Blue

What to Do This Weekend

Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this weekend?

Welcome to our guide to free and affordable family fun all over the South Puget Sound! We have one just like it up every Friday! This weekend’s highlights include a fun event at the STAR Center in Tacoma Saturday, the return of library story times, a live dive experience with Harbor WildWatch in Gig Harbor, and more! We’re especially excited for Bedknobs and Broomsticks on the big screen Sunday! Read on for all of it. As always, it’s organized by day and area, and I do appreciate you using the links to confirm details before you go!

South Sound Kid's Calendar

[Read more…]

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