By Kate Scriven
Somehow it’s already mid-way through January 2015. A new year is stretching out ahead full of possibilities. Many people make resolutions this time of year – promises to themselves about actions and attitudes they wish to embrace.
For our family, one action item is to explore and enjoy more the area in which we live. Thurston County contains some of the Puget Sound’s most diverse climate zones, recreational areas and wildlife habitat, world-class arts and entertainment, opportunities for community involvement, and endless choices for family outings. This year, we won’t wait for the perfect weather. We’ll ignore the growing honey-do list more often. We’ll carve out staycation days. We will play.
2015 Thurston County Bucket List
Bike the Chehalis-Western trail’s new overpass (and beyond).- Climb the Heritage Park Hillside Trail switchbacks with the dog.
- Run a 5K as a family.
- Hike a low-tide beach when Beach Naturalists are on-site.
- Rent kayaks or paddleboards.
- Climb mountains (indoors) at Warehouse Rock Gym. Belay for my daughters.
- Figure out what the Mima Mounds really are.
- Have a “night on the town” with dinner and a show at Harlequin Productions.
- Visit the wolves at Wolf Haven.
- Give back as a family, serving at a local soup kitchen.
- Boat to (and camp at?) Hope Island State Park.
- Seek fresh produce from local farmers at The Olympia Farmer’s Market.
- Expose the kids to live theater at Olympia Family Theater.
- Search for original art along the Percival Landing boardwalk.
- Eat popcorn with nutritional yeast (it’s delicious!) during an indie film at Capitol Theater.
- Swim like a salmon in the East Bay Public Plaza.
- Join a historic walking tour at Tumwater Falls Park.
Forage for local seafood (or just buy it) and enjoy a briny feast.- Binge on fun and food at $1 day at the Thurston County Fair.
- Soak up local history at the Crosby House, Bigelow House, and Schmidt House.
- Be State Capital savvy with campus walks, Governor’s Mansion tours and Rotunda gazing.
- Walk in the woods on local nature trails.
- Eat breakfast downtown at The Reef (you’ve gotta do it….).
- Sip local brews (from beans and barley) at Batdorf and Bronson, Olympia Coffee Roasters, Top Rung Brewing or Three Magnets Brewing.
- March in an Olympia community parade (with a pet or maybe dressed up as a pet).
- Eat dinner farm-to-table style at Oly’s local restaurants.
Is this everthing? Not even close. There are a myriad of other amazing things to do from mountain biking in Capitol Forest to world-class quilt stores, from the nationally acclaimed Hands On Children’s Museum to the State Library Archives. Truly, the possibilities are endless.
But for our family, seeking to engage more deeply in our own community and its surroundings, this is our list. Maybe it will become yours, too.
