Mercer Slough - #SaturdaySnapshots

I have to admit that the June 13th walk along Mercer Slough wasn't my favorite, mainly because of the mosquitoes! But the nature park was lovely, and the weather was nice and cool. It's amazing that such a quiet, serene green space exists right next to the intersection of two of Seattle's busy freeways -- Interstates 405 and 90.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

Our path took us along a stream...

Among skunk cabbage...

And over the slough.

Raised walkways kept our feet dry.

Portions of the park were closed for renovation and we couldn't visit the Blueberry Farm, but we explored what we could and had a great time.

From the Bellevue, Washington, Parks & Recreation website:
Nestled in the heart of Bellevue, the 320-acre Mercer Slough Nature Park offers a tranquil setting for a variety of recreational experiences: biking, hiking, canoeing , blueberry picking, and environmental education. The Mercer Slough is Lake Washington’s largest remaining wetland, containing hundreds of plant species and an abundance of water resources. The park provides a diverse habitat for over 170 species of wildlife. Interconnected boardwalks, soft surface trails, and asphalt paths transport visitors through this unique urban wetland.

More info:  Mercer Slough Nature Park

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Cougar Mountain #Hike - #SaturdaySnapshots

Another hike - this one in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park near Newcastle, Washington. My FitBit says I walked 8.36 miles during that 24-hour period (which also includes walking the dog around our neighborhood), and my legs believe it! On this hike, the trail was lined with blooms - bleeding heart, trillium, and fern just starting to unfurl.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

Western trillium (trillium ovatum)

Bleeding heart (Dicenta formosa)

Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

New spring leaves created a bright green canopy overhead. 

They really were that green! Trails are well-marked and 
maintained by volunteers.

Though most of the trails took us through forest, this one overlooked an open area that was once a clay pit.

We crossed this narrow plank over a creek in single file. 

Thank heavens for the sturdy railing!

Lunch break at Coal Creek Falls.

Here's our route.

Here's a little history of the park and a reminder of the Cold War years:

In the 1950s and early 60s, two active Nike missile sites were located within the park’s current boundaries, in order to protect the Puget Sound region from potential air attacks. Eventually, these sites were decommissioned, and in the late 1960s, King County took over ownership of the land that would later become Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

More info about this park (a colorful brochure) HERE

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, 

click HERE or on the box below.  

To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) 

have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet- Saturday Snapshots

Are you feeling fancy? Then you'd enjoy "Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet." Recently my daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and I attended the Evergreen City Ballet's performance of this delightful ballet at the Meydenbauer Theater in Bellevue, WA. We had such a great time! 

Fancy Nancy is the main character in a series of books written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The stories are geared to girls aged four to eight (my granddaughter is almost four years old). I have only read a couple of the books, but I like the way the author introduces unusual words in her text. For example: "My favorite color is fuchsia. That's a fancy way of saying purple." In this story, Nancy and her best friend Bree vie for the coveted role of mermaid in the ballet. When Bree wins the role, Nancy must learn how to handle her disappointment.  

Photos were not allowed during the performance and I was hesitant to take pictures of other children, but I did get a few of my granddaughter to share.

Here's the program from the ballet.

Do you think my granddaughter was excited?

All the attendees dressed in fancy clothes,
from their heads to their toes.

I can dance too, Grandma!

Here's the link to the Fancy Nancy book that inspired this ballet: Amazon

By the way, Disney will be making a Fancy Nancy movie and has a TV series in the works too.

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, 

click HERE or on the box below. 

To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) 

have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate 

for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Please don’t post random photos that you find online.