Trip Report
We had an 8 a.m. departure from Shopko, traveled I-5 to Tualatin for a rest-stop, then back on I-5 to Olympia. We lunched at the Old Olympia Brewery Park, where Keith Newsom stepped aboard and guided us through Olympia. It was a marvelous day so we saw all the snow-covered Cascade peaks on the way. Our first stop in Washington's capital was the Capital Museum, then on to the capital building for a guided tour. Our guide was exceptional. We really enjoyed the tour. Then Keith narrated a brief tour of old historic buildings and gave us a quick tour of the earthquake damage. We dropped him off in town, while we went on to Lakewood and our motel.
Day 2 - Tacoma. We departed at 8 a.m. for Tacoma. Our first stop was for a chocolate fix at the Brown & Haley factory outlet (where Almond Rock is made). We then cruised Pacific Avenue looking at old and new buildings, stopping at the Fireman's Park, near the freeway. A great view of Tacoma Harbor and Mt. Rainier. Our 10:00 stop was at the W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. Half the group started at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum while half toured the conservatory. Then groups switched. By noon the threat of rain was over. We went through Point Defiance Park to get to Owens Beach for lunch, where we watched the water traffic. Afterwards we toured Fort Nisqually and got a good view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. We then traveled across north Tacoma to the Lakewold Gardens for a tour of the beautiful old estate. We had dinner at Pizza Casa before returning to our motel.
Day 3 - We departed at 8 a.m., taking Hwy. 512 east, then Hwy. 161 south to Northwest Trek. It was an estate that was created into a northwest animal park some 26 years ago. We first rode the tram viewing sheep, goats, elk, deer, moose, raccoons, and many waterfowl. Then we hiked the trails viewing the confined animals - wild cats, bears, wolves, and owls and eagles. We lunched at the park, then about 1:30 p.m. boarded the bus for Eugene. Unfortunately, we got stuck deep in Portland traffic, so were late getting home.
Riders were: Ethel Allen, Ewart, Neil, & Rosemary Baldwin, Mary Lee Cheadle, Kent Christoferson, Doral & Rose Etter, Margaret Fea, Bette Hack, Dora Harris, Ben Kirk, Gloria Layden, Dody Leppmann, Cleora Mersdorf, Joyce Mixer, Frances Newsom, Virginia Prouty, Kathleen Schlenker, Karen Seidel, Bobbye Sorrels, Janet & Richard Speelman, Millard Thomas, Cristy White and trip leaders Liz Reanier & Ray Jensen.
