Went walking on the Iller Creek loop trail in the Dishman Natural area today. The beautiful sunshine and mild temp was greatly appreciated! Some of the path was muddy and the south end still had quite a bit of ice on the trail and some snow still where it doesn't get any sun. Always a pleasant 5+ miles with the gurgling Iller Creek along the path for most of the first 1/2. You cross the creek a number of times on the trail.
Went walkin in Manito Park today to see what all was coming up this early spring day. There were a lot of ducks in the duck pond again and the water was a little cleaner. The only flowers with their heads up were the crocus and the Snowdrops. They were beautiful. There were a lot of folks out enjoying the nice weather with both their 2 and 4 footed kids. Stopped in at Lincoln park for a bit and it too had a lot of visitors taking advantage of the sun.
Walked off the Cheney Spangle Trail head of the Columbia Plateau Trail. This section going back toward Fish Lake is always a place of beauty and the movement of life. It is completely paved with streams on either side. Waterfalls come out of the hills and cascade down the rocks. A treat for the ears and the eyes. A little later on in the season the streams will be filled with cattails and yellow flowering water plants. Birds, frogs, turtles and sometimes even a family of River Otters will enjoy these waters. For now birds are the main attraction. A flock of Purple and green Swallows entertained me as they raced up the stream and then turned around to race back down. I heard the resident Kingfisher but he didn't put in an appearance this time. The Redwing Black birds were singing their pretty song on the cattails of the pond just at the entrance of the Cheney Wetlands, which sits just off the trail. A light rain made everything fresh and new.
Felt like sharing some joy through dogs playing today so started my walk at the High Bridge dog park at the edge of High Bridge park. There were quite a fe pooches running and wrestling, enjoying the warm weather and new friends. I then walked through High Bridge Park and under the Bridges it is named for. There are three bridges that span the creek here, I-90, Sunset Highway bridge and the railroad bridge. The Sunset Highway bridge is an old one and wonderful to look at with its high arches and details in the concrete. You cross over the creek on a bridge in Vinegar Flats and then go down the creek on the other side to the bridge back across on Riverside. There are people camping along the east side of the creek. Not a terribly long jaunt but pretty to see the bridges and creek from this angle.
What a glorious space this Manito Park is! Every season is gorgeous and completely different and to be experienced! I went walking in Manit...
