Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Saturday, Apr. 4, 2009

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

Baby Aliza had her first "hike" at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday. We chose this hike mainly because we could stroll her on the boardwalk and so that her big brother Aidan could see wildlife. We weren't the only ones with the idea to flock to Nisqually on the first springlike day of the year. The parking lot was teaming with vehicles (including a bus) upon arrival and overflowing when we left a couple hours later. But while there were certainly many people enjoying the refuge, it didn't seemed as packed as I would've thought. With the young kids in tow, we limited our hike to the one mile loop boardwalk trail, though we certainly could've taken the stroller on the towpath along the river. We tried to get our three year-old to notice the variety of birds flying about. He took a passing interest in the one blue heron we saw and the sound of frogs, but he was most interested in examining the moss, lichen and benches along the way. Aliza immediately dissed the stroller and insisted upon a perch from the Bjorn. It was encouraging to see the tell-tale signs of spring: flowering currant and Indian plum in bloom and skunk cabbage brightening up the wetland area. Still too early for the nesting herons to be feeding their young. Now that would've been a sight that Aidan would've enjoyed. All in all, a good spring walk with kids in tow. But if you're bringing young kids, beware that it is hard to keep them quiet enough that they don't disturb the wildlife. You really can't let them go wild on this hike.