Monday, January 13, 2020

#Hiking - Tacoma's Ruston Way

I haven't been hiking lately, but on January 2nd, I signed up for all the walks and hikes offered by the Auburn Senior Activity Center for the coming three months. Our first hike of 2020 was along Tacoma's Ruston Way, overlooking Commencement Bay.


The in-and-out route included exploring the new pedestrian bridge and slides near the Point Defiance ferry terminal and some of the Frank Herbert Park. (More about the slides below.) We'd originally planned to walk through the wooded Puget Ravine as well, but recent heavy rains made that option slippery and muddy -- unsafe for our group. The day's cold, drizzly weather didn't keep us home, however!

There are two options for getting from the bridge to the shore. Stairs or a series of slides. Only one member of our group chose the slides.



When he landed on his tailbone with a thump, the rest of us decided we'd pass on that experience! I'm guessing the slides would be more fun (and more crowded) on a sunny day.

We split up for lunch at various Ruston Point restaurants, then walked back to the van for a total trek of 6.75 miles.


Not bad for a bunch of seniors!

More info:

Tacoma's Ruston Point Restaurants
Tacoma's Ruston Point Park & Slides (and a little history)

I'm linked with:
Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE
Our World Tuesday - Link HERE
Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

33 comments:

  1. Looks like a great walk! My cousin lives in Tacoma! This is Terri from Second Wind Leisure on wordpress.

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  2. Looks like a very scenic route.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  3. It looks a little bleak, Sandra, but well done for getting out there and enjoying it :) :)

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  4. Wonderful photos, Sandy! Ruston Way sure has changed. It's a wonderful place to walk, not matter what the weather.

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  5. I haven't been down to Ruston for some time. I hadn't heard about the slides. What a kick! I broke my tailbone years ago when I was 7 months pregnant going down a slide, so I doubt I would try the slides either. A very poor choice indeed! At my age, I pass by anything that might cause me pain. I enjoyed your article, Sandy. You always find interesting things to write about.

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  6. Awesome photos! I especially love that mural at the end. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Hi! Nice hiking for the first time in 2020. It looks fun to go by a series of slides. Your photos are very beautiful.

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  8. Hello,

    Sounds like a nice walk and a great place for lunch. The views of the water and boats are pretty. The slide sounds interesting but I would be scared to try. Love the mural. I think the group hikes are great for seniors. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

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  9. I always loved going to that area so particularly enjoyed seeing what's happening. On this snowy morning, you again took me on an excursion. Armchair traveling is perfect for me! Thanks and keep up the good work. I am happy you're all signed up for more . . .

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  10. I'm not sure about that slide. It looks a little scary, especially for someone unsure of heights.

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  11. Wow! The slides looked so long and steep. I think I would have also taken the stairs. Great hike for your group and such pretty views.

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  12. ...wow, look at all those steps!!!

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  13. Perfect! I'd love to join in on all your walks so...thanks for letting me tag along!

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  14. I don't like hiking at all ! I like to walk look around, stop to take pictures and so on, but in a group of people running one after the other that's nothing for me !

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  15. What fun! Good to see local adventures, as well as those afar, in your photo blog.

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  16. Nice to have got a not-rainy winter day for a walk. The Pacific Northwest is so beautiful!! <3

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  17. Looks like you had a great hike despite the grey day and a beautiful place for a visit.

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  18. sounds like you did well, don't know about those stairs though, I think my knees would complain after a while. btw thanks for your comment at my blog.

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  19. What a great idea to spend time with a group for hiking or walking.
    And yes we go a bunch of snow---so far pretty but in two day I will want it gone! LOL
    MB

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  20. Beautiful photos. As a senior myself, awesome that you do the walks. I've only done one so far, but try to walk some every day. I'd never thought of seeing what our senior center offers. May have to check it out to see what they have. Have a fun week. :)

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  21. That slide looks daunting, I wouldn't go on it either!
    The mural is very colourful, thanks for participating Sandra.

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  22. Sounds like a delightful time and lovely photos with more or your 'treking' to come ^_^

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. What a fun hike. That is a pretty good distance. You must be part of a very game bunch of seniors. I was thinking at first, "I'd take the slides, you bet I would." But if one gets a hard landing I'd change my mind.

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  24. We’ve driven often on Rushton Way, eaten there many times ... our oldest son and family live in Tacoma, my sister and BIL in Seattle now, but in Auburn before they retired. But I had no idea about the stairs , let alone the slide. I must speak to my family about that (now that I’m undoubtedly too old to try either). Thanks for the fun tour!

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  25. Okay I need to do this hike just so I can go down all the slides! That looks like so much fun!

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  26. Looks like an interesting walk - I find once I have signed up for stuff I just do it! Its very motivating!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  27. Good for you! I'm lucky to make my 10,000 steps. And usually don't.

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