Tag Archives: WA State – Thurston County

Mima Mounts near Maytown

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9541088065_2bc2dea785_bThe Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is a designated National Natural Landmark near the Capital State Forest and Maytown. The 3′ to 6′ high mounds themselves are kind of cool, large, rounded hills. The Mima mounds appear in parts of Washington, Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and California, and also in Kenya, Mexico, Canada, Australia and China. Scientists don’t really know what caused them, but theories include pocket gophers, wind blowing around vegetation, seismic activity, shrinking & swelling clay and, my personal favorite, space aliens.

Fair warning, this park requires a Discovery Pass which can be purchased online here.

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Carlson Scott Cabin in Yelm

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The Carlson Cabin in Yelm at 301 West Yelm Avenue was constructed in 1945, so I’d consider it old but perhaps not historic. It was constructed by Yelm’s Lions Club and Axel Carlson (co-owner of the Sundown Logging Co.) made all of arrangements. The logs were hand hewed. The space is used for Lion’s Meetings, Scout Meetings, weddings, parties and other social events. The Yelm Lions Club, which was chartered in 1939, offers a free dinner every Thursday to anyone who is hungry.

I went to Yelm for a holiday gather and had a lovely time both there and on the drive to and fro. Yelm has a population of about 7,000 and per Wikipedia, “the word “Yelm” is said to come from the Coast Salish word shelm or chelm, meaning “heat waves from the sun” referring to heat mirages.”

 

 

Nisqually Delta Wildlife Refuge

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The Nisqually Delta is one of 23 National Wildlife Refuges in Washington State and the only one in Thurston County. Today I went to visit because I had to get out of the house and into the sunshine. Dear husband got up extra early and opted for a nap and dear daughter was under the weather. I was afraid that the eagles would carry away the dogs (and it turns out they weren’t allowed anyway), so I went alone. I was surprised to see that the visitor center was open and there were only a couple of parking spots available.

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/nisqually/

The dairy barns above were built in 1934 as part of the large Brown family farm that had been on the site. The eagle below was perched on a tree near the barns. One of the highlights of the hike was an older man with a very nice telescope showed me a Northern Shrike, an unusual bird for this part of the country. Apparently this charming little bird will sometimes eat other birds! Live and learn.

 

A lovely fall day at Tumwater Falls Park

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Originally uploaded by Gexydaf
 
 

 

This jewel of a park was worth the short drive down to Tumwater. It is a perfect park, especial if you just have an hour or so. There is a quick loop that shows off the waterfalls and the accompanying Deschutes River. And there are also several well placed signs that share the history of the area including the now closed Olympia Brewing Company. I love the idea of going back in the winter when the falls partially freeze! I guess I also need to go back in the spring to see the salmon run. And I bet it’s pretty nice in the summer, so it’s an all season park! The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/historicaldistrictboundaries.htm

http://www.olytumfoundation.org/park.asp