Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Monday, Jul. 5, 2010

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

There were colorful, noisy song-birds everywhere, some water fowl, and a raptor or two. The only real open trail is the boardwalk loop (1+ mile if you include the overlooks), so this isn't much of a hike. Even so, the boardwalk is a great walk for kids, especially very small children. The boardwalk is about 5 feet wide and has a 3 foot railing on each side so even our 18-month boy safely staid on course and made it most of the way round (with lots of stops to point and ask about everything, especially the water birds). Usually he just wanders off exploring the minute we put him down so we have to either carry or stap him in to something if we actually want to go anywhere in particular. He really enjoyed walking on his own and burning off that limitless little boy energy.