Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (Monday, April 30th, 2018)

Both of the kids headed back to work this morning, leaving Steve and I to explore on our own.  One of the top rated places near their home is a wildlife refuge so we decided to go check it out.  We love being outside, but you never know what you'll see at a wildlife refuge...sometimes nothing at all, but we thought it would be worth a try, and the entry fee was only $3 for up to four adults.  Even if we don't see any animals, our first impression of the view is great!

The entire loop and back is about 5 miles, so we decided to start out and then decide if it was worth continuing.  

This wildlife refuge used to be a farm, and some of the buildings are still intact.

These boardwalks are everywhere and are very necessary to keep your feet out of the mud.

A red-winged blackbird.

Most of the refuge is an estuary, mud flats during low tide and a shallow bay during high tides.  The board walk stretches a mile out into the estuary with viewing platforms along the way.

These geese were guarding the gravel walkway to the estuary boardwalk, but they let us by as we approached.

Sandpipers looking for lunch in the mud.

Looking back from the estuary toward the barns.

So many clam holes.

And so many mussels.

The red arrow is where the boardwalk ends in the estuary.

As we headed back toward the shore, we spotted a balk eagle in the trees.  So nice to see our national bird making a come back.

A blue heron.

As we came back down the path, the geese were still guarding it, but once again, they let us through.

As we came back through the swamp on the board walk, we took our time and could see frogs everywhere.

Signs of a beaver.

More signs of a beaver.

A tree swallow.

And a few snakes.  All garter snakes and not poisonous.  How do they ever get themselves untangled?

As we were leaving the refuge, a man recommended that we also take a look at Tolmie State Park, which was just down the road from the refuge, so we took the 10 minute drive over there to check it out.  Being that it was a state park, the cost was $10 for a day pass, so a little pricey for two people that were just passing through.  So we took at few pictures and then continued on our way.

It was a beautiful park, but we really didn't have the time to stay and enjoy it, so we made our way back home.

When we got back from our day's adventures, the kids were done working and able to spend our last night with us.  We grilled some steaks and boiled some asparagus and tossed as wonderful capreese salad.

It was the perfect ending to our great Washington adventure!

The weather was never clear enough to see Mt. Rainier from the ground during our stay, but we flew right past it on our way home.  What a treat!

Apparently we brought the Washington weather back to Havasu with us, because driving into town was anything but typical for Arizona in May.  

We know that we'll be in the 100's very soon, so we'll just enjoy these cool temperatures while we can.